By Savio Kyambadde
The trial of Lydia Draru the main suspect in the murder of former Army Commander James Kazini has taken a new twist with one witness claiming to have witnessed the crime.
Draru pleaded guilty over the murder of the former army Commander but said that she did not have any intentions of murdering him.
Testifying before Court, Draru’s niece Scovia Taboru told court that she saw her hit the deceased with an iron bar as he stood in the door way of their home in Namuwongo.
Taboro told court that the two had quarreled over money with the late Kazini accusing Draru of stealing his money. She told court that Draru attacked the deceased as he was leaving the house countering Draru’s earlier defense that he killed Kazini in self defense.
Lydia Draru the main suspect in the murder of former army Commander Maj. General James Kazini pleaded guilty.
Appearing before High Court Judge Monica Mugenyi Draru said that she did not have any intention to kill.
Prosecution led by Fred Kakooza had insisted that Draru intended to kill and that he had witnesses to prove it. The Judge ordered him to produce the case and the witnesses produced include Dr. Thaddeus Birungi and Dr. Susan Nabadda who told court that Kazini had deep wounds on the head which proves that he was hit intentionally.
Prosecution rejected the plea of manslaughter in the case of Lydia Draru who allegedly murdered former army Commander Maj. James Kazini after she said she did not intend to kill the General.
The State wants Draru to admit the murder of Kazini but the High Court in Kampala has vowed that the accused has a right to plead to manslaughter.
Dr. Nabadde added that she examined Draru and found her of sound mind without mental problem.
Draru is alleged to have committed the offense in November 2009 at Namuwongo a Kampala surburb. Shortly after her arrest Draru confessed having committed the murder both before the Police and Buganda Road Court Grade One Magistrate John Wekesa in an alleged act of self defence.
