TANZANIA: WOMAN SENTENCED TO DEATH BY HANGING FOR SIX MURDERS

September 5, 2020:

The High Court of Tanzania in Bukoba has convicted Esther Amani (36) from Kalenge Village in Biharamulo District of murder after she was found guilty of killing six family members and was sentenced to death by hanging, the Daily News reported on 21 August 2020.
State Attorney Chema Maswi told the High Court during the hearing of the case that on 20 October 2011 Amani wilfully administered poison in a water container that the unsuspecting family members drank and died.
Those killed were identified as Wilbard Melchior (husband), Veronica Wilbard (wife) and their four children: Elvirc Wilbard, Dorothea Wilbard, Gustar Wilbard and Honoratha Wilbard, all from Kalenge Village in Biharamulo District.
Before passing the sentence Judge Lucia Kairo said 11 prosecution witnesses, who testified, included the daughter of the accused, were trustful.
A report from the government chemist, which was tendered as exhibit 4, confirmed that the six family members died after drinking poisoned water.
"The evidence clearly shows that the accused (Esther) acted with malice aforethought and there was no other killer, but her," she ruled.