AFRICA/KENYA - A Kenyan court acquits a missionary of murder

Nairobi (Agenzia Fides) - Father Gerardo Bottarelli, a Passionist missionary, was acquitted of murder by a court in Migori. The missionary was charged in connection with the death of a citizen of Kenya, Polycarp Otieno, which took place in the mission of Karungu on the shores of Lake Victoria in Kenya. The judge, after hearing the various testimonies, recognized the innocence of Fr. Bottarelli, who had been accused of shooting Otieno, killing him. The fact dates back to August 9, 2008. The missionary’s defender was able to prove that Fr. Bottarelli had handed the weapon to his assistant, Dickens Akech, to shoot a dog, but a blow struck and killed Otieno. The court also recognized that it was not a crime but an accident. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 31/10/2012)