By MAYA NTANDA –
SEVEN people, among them a woman, have been sentenced to death by hanging for brutally murdering former Wusakile Member of Parliament (MP) Barnabas Chella.
Kitwe High Court-Judge-in-charge Catherine Makungu sentenced to death Frederick Mulusa, Robby Mwewa, Joyce Mwansa and Eric Mendulo after finding them guilty of murdering Mr Chella on September 5 last year.
Others are Samson Chisala, Kenneth Chisanga and Derrick Kalunga.
Mwewa, however, died while incarceration before Judgment was delivered.
The seven had participated in hacking Mr Chella, 60, to death after invading his Mfubu ranch in Kitwe following a land dispute.
In delivering Judgment, Ms Justice Makungu said there were no extenuating circumstances and ordered that all the accused persons should be hanged until pronounced dead.
The accused persons had malice aforethought and did not conduct themselves as innocent bystanders.
From the evidence, Mr Chella’s assailants had expressed desire to kill him even before they approached him.
She observed that the group attacked the former MP shortly after confronting him and had the intention to kill or cause grievous bodily harm to Mr Chella.
In mitigation, the accused persons asked for leniency and that they would reform if given a second chance.
