The three are expected to appear before the court for sentencing following their conviction and mitigation.
The ruling will determine the penalties to be imposed on each of them.
During the sentencing proceedings, the victim’s parents had asked the court to consider a non-custodial sentence for Obado, citing that they had maintained a cordial relationship with the former governor, including during the period Sharon was still alive.
Douglas Zachariah Otieno, who spoke for the first time about his daughter’s death after nine years, told the court that Obado had sent relatives to his home seeking reconciliation.
“He sent his relatives to my home for reconciliation. That is why I have come down to this end to talk to him. If the court agrees to a non-custodial, that will be okay with me because he is remorseful,” he said.
The prosecution acknowledged the parents’ wish for reconciliation, noting that their views were relevant to the sentencing process. It stressed, however, that the family’s position could not determine the outcome.
“This is an offence against the state… the court is the ultimate decision maker,” the state submitted.
Prosecutors urged the court to weigh the gravity of the offence and the aggravating circumstances outlined in the sentencing guidelines, arguing that the murder was premeditated and carried out through coordinated conduct, with the three convicts acting pursuant to a common design and playing different roles in the killing.
According to the prosecution, the degree of planning involved elevated the culpability of all three.
The State further submitted that it had established the convicts were public employees, close associates, and individuals known to Sharon. It also pointed to the absence of any evidence that Sharon had acted in self-defence.
On their prior criminal records, the prosecution indicated that the three may be treated as first offenders, but urged the court to factor in the circumstances of the offence when handing down sentence.
The court will review submissions from the prosecution, the defence and Sharon’s family before determining the appropriate sentence.
