Priest sentenced to death over murder of Bishop Luigi Loccati nine years ago

A Catholic priest, Guyo Waqo Malley and his four accomplices were on Tuesday this week found guilty of murdering Italian born Catholic Bishop, Luigi Locati.

The five were found guilty of killing  Bishop Luigi Loccati  in Isiolo and were ordered to appear before Justice Fred Ochieng yesterday (Thursday) for sentencing. When the accused were given the opportunity to address the court and and make their pleas, Father Guyo asked for leniency from the court, saying his mother has passed away after learning that he had been convicted for the murder of  Luigi Loccati.

Though empathizing with Guyo’s loss, Justice Ochieng said the court could not turn a blind eye to the heinous crime that he committed and therefor sentenced him to death.

Justice Ochieng on Tuesday found Father Guyo guilty of premeditated murder adding that the prosecution had proof beyond reasonable doubt that the priest played a key role in the elimination of the Bishop by providing Ksh 50,000 to finance the plan, the acquisition of G3 guns as well as ferrying the accomplices to the bishop’s residence

The judge held that all the five accused persons were directly involved in the planning and the killing of Bishop Loccati. However, the court acquitted the sixth accused, Diga Wario, as there was no evidence linking him to the murder. Father Guyo and his accomplices have 14 days to appeal.