MALINDI, Kenya Jan 17 – Paul Mackenzie, the Shakahola cult leader was arraigned at the Malindi High Court Wednesday alongside 30 of his co-accused but did not plead to murder charges of over 400 people who starved to death so as to meet Jesus.
The prosecution presented a murder charge sheet with names of the deceased persons but said the suspects can not plead until a mental assessment is done to determine their suitability to stand trial.
The prosecution sought 14 days to undertake the assessment but the defence team led by the suspects’ lawyer Wycliff Makasembo opposed, saying one week is sufficient given the long period they have been in custody.
The suspects were arrested mid last year when 429 bodies were exhumed from shallow graves in the Shakahola forest where hundreds were starving to death.
Many said they had been convinced that starving to death was a sure of meeting Jesus.
Malindi High Court Judge Lady Justice Thande Mugure has granted the prosecution 14 days to complete the mental tests.
“I do not think there are enough psychiatrists to carry out the mental assessment within one week as requested by the defence team, given the large number of suspects. Therefore, the 14 days as requested by the prosecution team will suffice,” she ruled in granting the prosecution more time.
She ordered they be brought back to court on February 6 to plead to the charges.
A charge sheet seen by Capital FM News presents names of victims who died in the Shakahola forest, including children.
The prosecution has indicated it intends to charge more suspects who were not presented in court Wednesday once investigations are completed.
