Relatives unhappy with court verdict as Chelele murder suspect set free

 

DCI officer escorts Erick Musila the estranged husband to the late popular Kalenjin musician Diana Chelele. (Photo: File)

Devastated family members of the late musician Diana Chelele broke down in tears at the Naivasha Law Courts after a judge set free Eric Musila, a police officer who was charged with her murder.

Soon after High Court Judge Justice Richard Mwongo released his verdict yesterday, Chelele’s sister Beatrice Cheney wailed uncontrollably outside the courtroom, as prison warders whisked away Musila back to prison.

Musila was Chelele’s estranged husband at the time of her murder in 2016. Chelele’s mutilated body was discovered at her home in Bomet County two days after her disappearance on January 7.

However, he will not enjoy his freedom because he was last month convicted of murdering Eldoret-based surveyor Eluid Kipchirchir in the year 2012.

Ms Cheney told the Saturday Standard that she was disappointed by the verdict after waiting for justice from the court. “We are still in mourning following the murder of our sister and this has been made worse by the court ruling,” she said.

In his ruling, Justice Mwongo faulted investigators, and observed that the evidence adduced in court was not sufficient to sustain a murder charge against the accused. Mwongo said the prosecution had failed to prove that the accused was at the scene of murder, with two prosecution witnesses giving contradicting statements.

“One witness said he saw the accused at the scene at midnight and at 100m away and it is not possible to identify someone at that distance considering it was dark,’” he said.