Vernicia Ruguru was yesterday, September 9, found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment by an embu court for burning her husband, Patrick Njue with acid on July 16, 2012 in Embu North, Kenya.
The 36-year-old claimed she committed the offense in self-defense, after the husband attempted to splash the acid on her. However, Principal Magistrate Robinson Oigara dismissed the claim stating that she would have sustained some injuries if that was the case.
On the day of the incident, the defendant is said to have prepared the children for school, completed her house chores then later walked into their bedroom where Patrick was lying in bed, and splashed acid on him. She then locked the door and escaped only for the neighbours to hear screams from the house, before coming to Njue’s rescue.
Evidence presented in court proved that on hearing the husband was still alive, she rushed to the hospital Njue was admitted, in an attempt to finish her mission. Vernicia Ruguru was sentenced to life in prison but was granted 14 days to appeal the judgement.