The High Court in the capital Lilongwe has slapped death sentence by hanging a 20-year old man for the brutal murder of three people in Dedza district.

Dickson Elijah, the convict is believed to have attacked his employers Kashoni and Alinafe Phiri on October 10, 2013 while asleep with a pestle in order to inherit all their wealth. The development happened barely weeks after the family employed Elijah to help them in selling second hand clothes.

Dickson went ahead to steal K6500 cash, a TV screen, a DVD player, two power extension leads and two cell phones, among other items and disappeared, according prosecutors.

Kashoni and his wife Alinafe were found in a decomposed state and autopsy results established that they died due to heavy bleeding and fractures at the base of the skull.

The development forced the Police to launch the manhunt of the suspect who was later arrested and charged with murder.

During court hear, the suspect pleaded guilty to the charges, saying he murdered his boss to acquire their wealth since it was not easy for him to get rich through honest means.

Passing his verdict on Tuesday, Aug 18, 2015, Justice Chifundo Kachale said what Elijah did was shocking hence his mitigation could not be considered.

“Life sentence is appropriate despite the fact that the offender is young because three innocent lives were lost,” Kachale told the court.

Meanwhile the convict has been given 90 days to appeal against the death sentences imposed on him by the court if he is not satisfied with the verdict.