The murder suspect in the case involving Catholic Priest Father Michael Maingi has been sentenced to 30 years in prison.
Michael Muthinji Mutunga, 26, was today convicted on his own plea of guilt after he admitted to killing the priest in 2018 arguing that the priest sodomized him and had turned him to his “wife”.
Appearing before Lady Justice Lucy Njuguna, his sentencing was read to him at the Embu High court.
The judge said that after considering the impact of the victim’s report, the accused who acted in anger went ahead to enrich himself with the property of the deceased.
The judge noted that the accused was able to withdraw cash amounting to 400,000and was driving the deceased priest’s car as if it was his.
She also noted that despite having alleged to have been sodomized, he would have used the correct legal means provided for rather than resulting in killing.
“The accused despite being remorseful and acting out of anger, he took law into his hands and innocent life was lost, betraying his innocence,” reads part of the ruling.
“The circumstances under which the offence was committed call for severe and deterrent sentences as the family of the deceased are still better as they lost their only bread winner.”
The accused pleaded guilty of the offense before Embu Resident Judge Lucy Njuguna, saying that the priest molested him several times before he got fed up and stabbed him to death in October 2019.
Upon admitting his crime, Muthinji said he was remorseful, urging the court to pardon him arguing that he was a young man who can reform and do something meaningful with his life in society.
Father Maingi’s body was found stuffed in a gunny bag with the throat slit.
