The Ndola High Court in Zambia has sentenced to life imprisonment a 41-year-old man who brutally murdered his 33-year-old girlfriend after she tried to leave him for another man.
According to Zambia Observer, the court heard how Justin Musonda stabbed Choolwe Sichiyanda nineteen times with a newly bought knife on March, 7, 2023 at a named lodge in Masala Township and later tried to commit suicide by drinking a poisonous substance.
Justin opted to remain silent in his defense and did not call any witness.
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And in delivering judgment, the judge, Lameck Mwale said that the state proved the case beyond all reasonable doubt.
“The knife was new and bore a label K25. I have no doubt that the accused carefully planned the murder and had malice aforethought to cause death or grievous harm which can be seen from the gruesome multiple wounds on the body of the deceased,” he said.
In mitigation, Justin asked for leniency stating that the time he spent in the remand correctional facility, he reflected on his action.
But in sentencing Justin, Mwale found no extenuating circumstances not to slap the accused with life imprisonment.
“The manner in which he executed his criminal enterprise demands that he be removed from society. I, therefore, sentence him to life imprisonment,” he said.
