The legal counsel for Emelda Marizani of Chivhu, who is accused of killing her four daughters by slitting their throats before setting the family house on fire, has asked the court to consider a special verdict of not guilty on the grounds of insanity.
Marizani pleaded not guilty to four counts of murder when her trial opened before High Court judge Justice Munamato Mutevedzi, with the defence offering a plea of diminished responsibility.
A not guilty plea is automatically entered in a murder trial.
Through her lawyer, Ms Gamuchirai Marizanhi, Marizani also blamed her conduct on abuse by her husband, which she claimed had an effect on her state of mind.
The defence seeks to have her admitted into a psychiatric hospital until her condition improved, adding that her mental condition was hereditary.
During cross examination, her husband, Mr Lameck Brandi, confirmed a history of mental illness in the family. However, several medical reports have stated that Maziranhi was mentally stable.
The trial has been adjourned to November 9 to give the prosecution time to have a psychiatric report prepared. – The Herald
