AP officer Erick Musila, who was accused of killing Kalenjin musician Chelele, did not take plea for the second time on Monday.
Musila's lawyer Aggrey Simiyu told the Kericho High Court that his client was not ready to take the plea and asked for a
deferment.
The officer accused of , real name Diana Chemutai, is set to plea to the charge at the Naivasha High Court on Wednesday.
Kericho resident judge Hedwig Ong’udi gave the directive following Simiyu's verbal application for the transfer of the matter over threats against Musila.
Ong'udi refused to transfer the case to Nairobi as had been requested saying it is
the norm transfers to be to the nearest courts to avoid unnecessary expenses.
The prosecution did not object the request.
Simiyu had told the court that a large number of people, who turned up in court during a hearing, threatened Musila while some tried to lynch him outside the court.
“Members of the public bayed for his blood and are asking for the identities of his lawyers. They have been outside the court, wanting to see and know him,” he said.
Simiyu further argued that it would be imprudent for the Kericho court to handle the case as Musila was facing another murder charge there.
In 2012, Musila and Chemutai were accused, before the then judge Jean Gacheche,
of being behind the murder of Eldoret-based surveyor Eliud
Yego in what was said to be a love triangle.
Ong’udi cautioned the public against turning up in court in large numbers and threatening Musila and his lawyers. He advised them to allow the law to take its course.
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