If you want to escape the death penalty for murder, get drunk before committing the offence!
This seemed to be the implication last week as, just four years after they brutally stabbed their victim to death, two habitual criminals sighed with relief when a Francistown High Court gave them a lesser 20-year jail term after taking into consideration that they had been under the influence of alcohol when they committed the offence.
On the night of December 2, 2019 the two known criminals, Philimon Montshwari and Tshepo Ithuteng had been travelling in a cab with another passenger- Ontebetse Bafitlhile from a night club, when an argument ensued.
They are said to have assaulted and stabbed their victim multiple times with an okapi knife.
Although in passing sentence, Justice Bengbame Sechele noted their well documented rustic background, he also took into account that the assailants had been on a drinking spree on the fateful night.
Montshwari has two previous convictions of rape while Ithuteng’s criminal CV boasts of convictions of murder and stealing from a dwelling house.
“They are also of recidivism so this court sentences each of them to 20 years in prison backdated to the time they spent in prison,” ruled Justice Sechele.
On judgment day, Ithuteng’s attorney Tshedukani Elijah had pleaded for the court’s leniency saying the accused committed the offence under the influence of alcohol.
Montshwari had also, in mitigation told court that he had consumed too much alcohol.