Rally driver to undergo mental test ahead of murder trial
The fate of Safari Rally driver Maxine Wahome now lies with the High Court after a magistrate’s court ordered the closure of the investigations file into the killing of her boyfriend Assad Khan.
Wahome is expected to undergo a mental examination before she pleads to a murder charge.
Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Bernard Ochoi yesterday directed police to close the investigations since Wahome was charged with murder before High Court judge Lilian Mutende last week.
“The investigations file that was placed before me in December last year by the police seeking time to conduct an in-depth probe into the killing of Safari Rally ace Assad Khan is hereby officially closed following the arraignment of the suspect before the superior court for the murder trial,” Ochoi ruled.
Further directions
He gave the directions following orders by Justice Mutende last week that he formally closes the case at the lower court.
The judge gave the orders following a request by the defence lawyers Steve Kimathi and Anderson Musangi that they produce Maxine before Ochoi for further directions into the case.
The DCI Kilimani will today escort Wahome to Mathari Mental Hospital for evaluation of whether she is mentally fit to stand trial.
Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Gikui Gichuhi requested the judge to order Wahome to be escorted for mental assessment before being called upon to plead to the murder charge levelled against her tomorrow.
“At this stage, you are only required to be informed of the charge which states that on December 12, 2022, at Preston Court along Oloitoktok road in Kilimani sub-county within Nairobi county, you murdered Asad Manzour Khan. You are not required to plead at this stage, “ Justice Mutende informed Wahome when she appeared before her virtually last week.
Gikui opposed an application by the defence lawyers to free the suspect on bond pending formal charging. Kimathi and Musangi had undertaken to produce her for mental assessment and plea-taking in the event she was freed on bond.
The judge however concurred with the prosecution and revoked the Sh100,000 cash bail which Wahome had been given earlier, instead ordering that she remains in custody at the DCI Kilimani until tomorrow.
