Bella’s suspected killer appears in court today

The man suspected to have murdered a 12-year-old girl, Shalom Isimbi Uwase, fondly referred to as Bella in Nyamirambo, last month, is due to appear before Nyarugenge Intermediate Court for mention.

Thursday, April 17, 2014
Shalom Isimbi Uwase, aka Bella. (File)

The man suspected to have murdered a 12-year-old girl, Shalom Isimbi Uwase, fondly referred to as Bella in Nyamirambo, last month, is due to appear before Nyarugenge Intermediate Court for mention.

Sylvestre Hora alias Sylveri Mahoro faces three charges, including murder, illegal change of name and use of counterfeit documents, according to prosecution.

Prosecutor Ndibwami Rugambwa said among the evidence they have is the blood-soaked knife that was used to commit the crime.

"The prosecution will base its case on his forged Identity card, his confessions to Police and the weapon he used. We collected testimonies from people at the crime scene but we will not base on that since no one was present when the crime was committed,” he said.  

Once convicted, the defendant faces life imprisonment for murder, six months for illegal change of name, while use of counterfeit documents attracts five to seven years.

Mahoro, 30, had been the family’s househelp for 14 years

Her death sent shock waves   across the country when it emerged that she had been found in the family compound with her throat slit.