News / Regional
Professor Moyo to hang for triple murder
01 Aug 2012 at 05:32hrs | Views
A MAN who killed a father, his seven-year-old son and his 10-year-old niece by hanging them during a robbery has lost his appeal against the death sentence.
Supreme Court judges wasted little time in dismissing Even Champaigne Professor Moyo â€" after his own state-appointed lawyer admitted she had "no meaningful submissions to make as far as conviction and sentence were concerned".
Joylyn Gororo was praised by Deputy Chief Justice Luke Malaba for making the concession.
Malaba, sitting with Supreme Court Justices Anne-Marie Gowora and Meshack Cheda, confirmed Moyo's conviction and sentence after dismissing his appeal as without merit.
The judges said there were no extenuating circumstances in the commission of the "cold-blooded, gruesome and horrific murders" perpetrated during the course of a robbery.
Moyo, 32, of Sibona, Gwanda, was convicted of the 2005 murders at the Bulawayo High Court.
Then aged 25, Moyo went to 53-year-old Phineas Ncube's home with the intention of stealing money, acting on information that his son had recently sent him cash from South Africa.
He surprised Ncube, grabbed him by his hands from behind and used a waist belt to tie him up.
Moyo then took an electric cord and made a noose which he placed around Ncube's neck. He threw the cord over a roof truss and pulled it back down, choking Ncube to death.
He removed the cord and hanged Ncube's son, 7, and then his niece, 10, before ransacking the main house.
The trial court heard that while he was committing the crime, Ncube's niece appeared to regain consciousness. Moyo grabbed a mattock and struck her twice in the face, killing her instantly.
He then hid the three bodies under a bed.
After stealing several household items, clothes and cash, Moyo tried to drive off in Ncube's car but failed to start it.
The court heard that he had difficulties carrying his loot and left a solar panel at another villager's homestead, promising he would come back to discuss the price.
The Supreme Court said Moyo will meet his death in the same way he took the lives of his victims - by hanging.
Supreme Court judges wasted little time in dismissing Even Champaigne Professor Moyo â€" after his own state-appointed lawyer admitted she had "no meaningful submissions to make as far as conviction and sentence were concerned".
Joylyn Gororo was praised by Deputy Chief Justice Luke Malaba for making the concession.
Malaba, sitting with Supreme Court Justices Anne-Marie Gowora and Meshack Cheda, confirmed Moyo's conviction and sentence after dismissing his appeal as without merit.
The judges said there were no extenuating circumstances in the commission of the "cold-blooded, gruesome and horrific murders" perpetrated during the course of a robbery.
Moyo, 32, of Sibona, Gwanda, was convicted of the 2005 murders at the Bulawayo High Court.
Then aged 25, Moyo went to 53-year-old Phineas Ncube's home with the intention of stealing money, acting on information that his son had recently sent him cash from South Africa.
He surprised Ncube, grabbed him by his hands from behind and used a waist belt to tie him up.
Moyo then took an electric cord and made a noose which he placed around Ncube's neck. He threw the cord over a roof truss and pulled it back down, choking Ncube to death.
He removed the cord and hanged Ncube's son, 7, and then his niece, 10, before ransacking the main house.
The trial court heard that while he was committing the crime, Ncube's niece appeared to regain consciousness. Moyo grabbed a mattock and struck her twice in the face, killing her instantly.
He then hid the three bodies under a bed.
After stealing several household items, clothes and cash, Moyo tried to drive off in Ncube's car but failed to start it.
The court heard that he had difficulties carrying his loot and left a solar panel at another villager's homestead, promising he would come back to discuss the price.
The Supreme Court said Moyo will meet his death in the same way he took the lives of his victims - by hanging.
Source - TC
