Drama in court as woman accused of killing marathoner husband faints
From left: Vincent Ng'ososei Kiprono , Jamlick Kiptoon Morogit and Rose Chepkemboi Rotich at the Eldoret High Court on November 12, 2024.
There was drama at the Eldoret Court on Tuesday February 18 when the widow of murdered former marathon champion Samson Kandie fainted after being denied bond.
Rose Chepkemboi Rotich, a prime suspect in the case, collapsed in the dock as Justice Reuben Nyakundi delivered the ruling on their bond application.
She fell on her back, fainting in the packed courtroom.
The incident halted court proceedings, forcing Justice Nyakundi to suspend pending criminal matters lined up for judgment and sentencing as he called for a short break.
Court orderlies, caught off guard by the dramatic turn of events, swiftly intervened, struggling to lift the unconscious murder suspect from the floor before rushing her to the holding cells at the High Court.
Her co-accused and other inmates watched the unfolding drama in the same dock, visibly shocked.
The mother of four is the prime suspect in the murder of her estranged husband, alongside Jamlick Morogit and Vincent Ngososei Kiprono.
Their hopes of securing freedom from remand, where they have been held since their arrest by Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) detectives in October last year, were dashed after the judge denied their application.
In his ruling, Justice Nyakundi cited concerns over witness interference, the suspects' safety if released, and the possibility of them absconding court proceedings.
"I decline to grant all of you bond, despite every murder suspect having the right to bail. However, this right is not absolute when compelling reasons, such as the security of the suspects, arise," ruled Justice Nyakundi.
The 53-year-old former international marathoner was found dead at his house in Elgon View Estate, on the outskirts of Eldoret City, after being brutally attacked by unknown assailants.
Kandie was discovered grievously injured and tied up outside his home before being rushed to an Eldoret hospital where he succumbed to his injuries on October 4, 2024.
The deceased rose to fame for his stellar marathon performances, including his personal best of 2:08:3 at the 1999 Berlin Marathon.
Following the murder, police detectives swiftly launched investigations, leading to the arrest of the suspects, including the widow, from various hideouts within Eldoret City.
The case is scheduled for pre-trial on March 25.