Court sentences accused in Kanimangalam Vincent murder case after 11 years; Manoj and neighbour Shiny caught because of sticker on plaster

THRISSUR: The court has sentenced the accused in the case of killing an elderly man during an attempted robbery in Kanimangalam. The first accused, Manoj, a native of Ollur, was sentenced to 19 years in prison and Velaparambil George's wife Shiny (second accused) was sentenced to 14 years in prison. The verdict was given by the Thrissur Additional Sessions Court. Manoj will have to pay a fine of one lakh seventy thousand. The court ordered Shiny to pay a fine of one and a half lakh. The order also orders that the family of the deceased Vincent be given Rs. 1 lakh each from the fine to be collected from the accused.

Vincent (79) of Kethakodan house, Kanimangalam, was killed in 2014. Vincent and his wife Lily, who had returned to their home in Kanimangalam on November 19, 2014, after a feast at a relative's house, were attacked by a three-member gang wearing masks. Later, they tied them up and robbed them of twelve sovereigns of gold.

The thieves also took away thirty thousand rupees from the cupboard. When the couple screamed for help, Shiny, a neighbour, came running with a knife and cut them both free. Vincent died while undergoing treatment in the hospital. The clue to the case was the sticker on the plaster used to seal Vincent's mouth. It became clear during the police investigation that it was Manoj who had bought it.

The investigation started with Manoj to reach Shiny and her son. It was Vincent's neighbour, Shiny, who planned the robbery. The robbery was carried out with the help of her minor son, another minor friend of his, and Manoj, a close friend. The son's friend was made an approver in the case. The son had already been convicted by the Juvenile Court.