Mother who killed four children pleads insanity

Zim Now Writer

A Chivhu woman – Emelda Marizani – who stands accused of killing her four daughters by slitting their throats before setting the family house on fire, has pleaded insanity, asking the court to consider a special verdict of not guilty on those grounds.

Marizani pleaded not guilty to four counts of murder, when her trial opened before High Court judge Justice Munamato Mutevedzi, and the defence offered a plea of diminished responsibility.

A not guilty plea is always entered in a murder trial, forcing the State to prove the crime.

Marizani’s lawyer also blamed her conduct to abuse by her husband, arguing it affected her state of mind.

The defence is seeking to have her admitted into a psychiatric hospital until her condition improved, adding that her mental condition was hereditary.

Marizani’s husband, Lameck Brandi, confirmed the mental condition in her family during cross examination, although several medical reports showed she mentally well, which she disputed.

The trial was adjourned to November 9, for the prosecution to have a psychiatric report prepared to enable the court to make an informed and appropriate decision.

In her defence outline, Marizani claimed she was psychotic, was enduring an abusive marriage, in which her husband had countless illicit affairs besides always scorning her for bearing girls.