Four Kenyan police officers WILL face trial for murder of British peer’s son who died after being taken into custody eight years ago after judge rules they have a case to answer
- Alexander Monson, 28, died a day after being arrested by Kenyan police in 2012
- Today a judge ruled that the officers accused of killing him had a case to answer
- His father Lord Nicholas Monson welcomed the news from his London home
Four Kenyan police officers accused of murdering a British peer’s son will face trial after a judge ruled they have a case to answer.
Alexander Monson, 28, was arrested at a Kenyan beach resort in May 2012 and died a day later in hospital having suffered a traumatic blow to the head.
His father Lord Nicholas Monson, 65, and his ex-wife Hilary have fought for nine years to get justice for their son and determine who was responsible for the 28-year-old’s death.
Judge Erick Ogola told a court today: ‘The accused should tell the court what happened since the deceased was arrested in good health.’
Four Kenyan police officers are set to face trial over the death of Alexander Monson (above) whose father Lord Monson has been campaigning for justice for nine years
The trial against four officers (above) accused of his murder – which started two years ago – is set to proceed after a judge ruled the suspects have a case to answer
Speaking from his home in London, Lord Monson welcomed the decision, telling MailOnline: ‘This is very good news’.
Lord Monson said: ‘We are relieved that quite rightly the judge has dismissed the application for the charges to be dismissed.
‘Nearly nine years have passed since Alexander’s murder. The judge’s ruling today is a significant step towards getting justice for him at last.
‘The legal process to achieve justice for him has been indeterminable. Hopefully this will be achieved by the year’s end.’
The trial against four officers accused of Alex’s murder – which started two years ago – has faced a series delays and postponements with the judge last month delaying a decision on whether the case should even continue.
But the finally ruled that the police officers accused – Naftali Chege, Charles Munyiri, John Pemba and Pc Ismael Baraka – do have a case to answer and the murder trial must proceed.
Alexander Monson (pictured left) was arrested at a Kenyan beach resort in May 2012 and died a day later in hospital having suffered a traumatic blow to the head. His father Lord Monson (right) welcomed the news today that four police officers would stand trial
Despite a post mortem concluding that he died after suffering a blow to the head, the Kenyan police insisted he died from a drug overdose. Pictured: With his sister Isabella
Alexander Monson was arrested outside a nightclub in the beach resort of Diani, accused of smoking marijuana, and taken to the police station.
Despite a post mortem concluding that he died after suffering a blow to the head, the Kenyan police insisted he died from a drug overdose.
After years of campaigning by Lord Monson and his family, an inquest into Alexander’s death was opened in 2015.
The inquest heard he had suffered internal bleeding on his brain and severe bruising which suggested he had been kicked in the groin.
In 2018 the inquest concluded that Alexander had died unlawfully and that the police officers killed him.
Lord Monson travelled to Kenya in 2012 in a bid to clear his son’s reputation. The peer is pictured with his ex-wife Hilary
After years of campaigning by his parents, an inquest into Alexander’s death was opened in 2015. Above: the police station where he was allegedly beaten
An inquest heard that Alexander (pictured) had suffered internal bleeding on his brain and severe bruising which suggested he had been kicked in the groin
Senior Principal Magistrate Richard Odenyo ruled: ‘His [Alexander’s] death was not natural, neither was it due to drugs.
‘His life was cut short by police and therefore, the director of public prosecution should prosecute the officers mentioned.’
In January 2019 the officers were put on trial for murder. But the trial was adjourned in March last year at the end of the prosecution case.
Daniel Wamosta, lawyer for the police officers called for the case to be struck out claiming there was no case to answer against them.
Mrs Wamosta told the court: ‘It is our humble submission that the prosecution has not established a case for the accused to answer the murder charge.’
However the judge ruled the trial will continue and the officers must present a defence.