A court in Massachusetts in the US has jailed a Kenyan to seven years in prison after he was convicted of the murder of a police officer.
David Njuguna was on Thursday arraigned before Judge Janet Kenton, who heard that he caused the death of the officer on March 16, 2016, after ramming into his packed vehicle.
The judge heard that Trooper Clardy, a father of seven, died from the impact of the crash, in the incident that happened in Boston, the capital of Massachusetts state.
The prosecution told the court that Njuguna was high on marijuana and was speeding at the time.
In her ruling, the judge slapped the convict with a one-year sentence for driving an uninsured car, two-and-a-half for motor vehicle homicide and two more for driving to endanger.
“I cannot bring you comfort, I cannot bring you peace, I cannot take the day away, I cannot make it right,” she said while sentencing him.
This was in disagreement with the prosecution which wanted 10 to 12 years for Njuguna who argued that he was under a seizure at the time when the accident happened.
In a statement after the ruling, Massachusetts State Police where the officer worked expressed displeasure with the sentence, saying that it is not commensurate with the crime.
“First and foremost, we are painfully cognizant that no sentence can return Trooper Clardy to those who loved him and love him still… As we move forward, we continue to look toward and be guided by Tom’s example as a family man and a Massachusetts State Trooper, and our thoughts and hearts are, as ever, with his loved ones,” said Police Superintendent Christopher Mason.
The sentences will run concurrently.