Prosecution on Thursday, April 27, arraigned Assoumpta Mutatsineza along with four co-accused on charges of killing her husband, Theogene Twagirayezu last year. The deceased was found dead in their home in Kanombe Sector in Kicukiro District on November 21. The judge moved the courtroom to the scene of the crime on April 27. The co-accused included Alphonse Uyisenga, Vianney Rubabaza, Evariste Ndizihiwe, and Athanase Habiryayo. The prosecution started by saying that they are prosecuting all the suspects for the murder of Theogene Twagirayezu, arguing that they have enough evidence to justify that the suspects committed the crime. The evidence includes witness accounts and a statement of confession by the suspect among others. Mutatsineza allegedly confessed to the authorities that she and Uyisenga were responsible for the murder of her husband. During her confession, she reportedly stated that the motive for the crime was that she didn't love her husband when they got married. The prosecution has pointed out that the evidence includes reports that confirm Uyisenga was engaged in an extramarital affair with Uyisenga, and that her husband was allegedly killed to clear the path for them to marry. It was heard in court that Uyisenga hired Rubabaza to poison the deceased, promising to pay him Rwf 1,500,000. The other two suspects were accomplices in the crime. During the preliminary investigation, it was revealed that the deceased was killed in their room after being hit with a hammer and stabbed with knives. The prosecution explained that the suspects attempted to kill him twice. Firstly, they tried to poison him by feeding him dog meat. Secondly, on November 19, they tried to kill him again, but he still survived. Due to the heinous nature of the crime and the suspects' lack of remorse, the prosecution has requested a life sentence with no possibility of easing their sentences. However, during the hearing, Mutatsineza changed her previous admission and pleaded not guilty, stating that she had only confessed under torture. She argued that her husband had been killed while she was out of the house, thus implying that she had no knowledge of his murder. Uyisenga, Rubabasa, Ndizihiwe, and Habiryayo have admitted their role in the death of Twagirayezu. However, the details of how they committed the crime differ from their initial versions. Lawyer Assouman Minsiragwira backed all the defendants and requested the court to disregard their previous confessions made during the investigation. He argued that the court should consider the version of events they presented in court instead, as the previous testimonies were controversial. Mutatsineza has requested the court to acquit her, commenting on the prosecution's request. She argued that she is innocent and therefore should be acquitted. Other suspects have requested an easy sentence for their role as accomplices in the death of Twagirayezu. After listening to both sides, the presiding judge ruled that the verdict will be issued on May 12.
