Catholic World News News Feature
Kenya Court Says Policeman Should Be Charged In Missionary Death December 14, 2000
NAIROBI, Dec. 14, 00 (CWNews.com) - A Kenyan magistrate has ordered that a policeman should stand trial in the death of a Catholic missionary in 1997.
Francis Kimanzi Mbaya will be tried for the murder of Larry Timmons, a Franciscan missionary, who was shot on January 22, 1997. Magistrate Gladys Ndeda said Mbaya acted recklessly when he shot Timmons, even after he had lain down and pleaded with him to stop shooting. Mbaya was investigating a robbery.
"Mr. Mbaya had a chance to identify people at the scene which was well-lit. He took no precautions, he did not challenge the robbers to surrender before he opened fire," Ndeda said. She also ordered investigations into robberies at two Catholic parishes two days before Timmons was killed. Ndeda criticized the local police force for failing to investigate the shooting and releasing suspects in the burglaries following the killing without following proper procedures.
