The 36-year old Vernicia Ruguru was yesterday, September 9, found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment for burning her husband, Patrick Njue with acid on July 16, 2012 in Embu, Kenya.
Vernicia claimed she did what she did in self defence, after her husband trid to splash the acid on her. The principal magistrate dismissed the claim stating that she would have sustained some injuries if that was the case.The defendant is said to have prepared the children for school on the day of the incident, completed her house chores, the 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.
The evidence in court proved that Vernicia, on hearing that her husband was still alive rushed to the hospital were her husband was admitted in an attempt to finish her mission. She was sentenced to life in prison but was granted 14 days to appeal the judgement.