The murder trial of Sarah Wairimu, accused of killing her husband Tob Cohen, has heard new evidence, including a hotel performance and police complaints. Prosecutors presented the evidence before Justice Diana Kavedza, with four prosecution witnesses testifying. The trial is ongoing, with the court hearing various details about the events leading up to Cohen's disappearance. Sergeant Mbalwe of Parklands Police Station was among the witnesses who testified about Cohen's interactions with the police.
According to Sergeant Mbalwe's testimony, Cohen lodged an assault complaint on 13 February 2019, initially declining his wife's arrest but later requesting police action. On 19 July 2019, Cohen again contacted Sergeant Mbalwe, reporting his wife was present at their home and asking for police intervention. The request was escalated, and officers were dispatched to the scene. However, they encountered difficulty arresting Wairimu after she allegedly locked herself inside the residence.
The court heard that on 19 July 2019, Cohen spent part of the day at the Plums Hotel, where musician Haston Kombe said the businessman took the stage and performed a song titled "Love Gone Sour". The song described a deteriorating relationship, with Cohen addressing his wife as "the meanest old woman I have ever seen". This performance was part of the timeline of Cohen's movements on the day he disappeared.
Former Golf Operations Manager Samuel Murathimi produced records confirming Cohen's visit to Muthaiga Golf Club on 19 July 2019, adding to the timeline of his movements. This evidence helps to piece together Cohen's activities on the day he went missing. The court also heard that officers encountered difficulty arresting Wairimu after she allegedly locked herself inside the residence, a detail reflected in police records.
Forensic analyst John Mungai testified that DNA testing of items recovered from Cohen's residence, vehicles, and a water tank yielded several profiles, including an unidentified male profile on the steering wheel of his car. Mungai also noted that DNA from Cohen's cartilage and nail samples was consistent with a biological sibling of his relatives Gabriella Hannah Cohen and Bernard Cohen. This forensic evidence may be crucial in establishing the circumstances surrounding Cohen's disappearance.
The trial is scheduled to continue on 12 October and 14 October, with seven and five additional witnesses expected to testify on those dates. The prosecution's evidence has provided new insights into the events leading up to Cohen's disappearance, and the court will hear from more witnesses in the coming weeks. The case has garnered significant attention, and the public is eagerly awaiting the outcome.
The case highlights the complexities of domestic disputes and the challenges faced by law enforcement in responding to such incidents. The trial's outcome will have significant implications for the accused and the Cohen family. As the trial continues, the court will consider all the evidence presented and determine the facts of the case.
Key points
- The trial of Sarah Wairimu has heard new evidence, including a hotel performance and police complaints, in the case of Tob Cohen's disappearance.
- Forensic evidence, including DNA testing, has been presented in the trial, which may be crucial in establishing the circumstances surrounding Cohen's disappearance.
- The trial is scheduled to continue on 12 October and 14 October, with additional witnesses expected to testify.
