Sexual assault trial ends in guilty verdict
The four-day trial was resolved when all twelve jurors came back with a guilty verdict against former SJU student Brian Muinde Kimithi for two counts of criminal sexual conduct. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for January of 2027, where he faces 45 years in prison.
After less than two hours of deliberation, Brian Muinde Kimithi was found guilty of two felony counts of sexual criminal misconduct against a CSB student. Kimithi faces up to 45 years in prison and a maximum fine of $40,000. His sentencing hearing is set for Jan. 8, 2027.
In a private interview with The Record, the victim shared how relieved she felt now that the trial ended in a guilty verdict.
“I’m just glad that it’s over, and I’m glad justice was served,” the victim said. “I just get to heal now.”
Unfortunately, her story is one of many. According to RAINN, a national sexual assault prevention nonprofit, one in four undergraduate women and one in 14 undergraduate men have experienced sexual violence. Despite the fact 33% of undergraduate students experience sexual assault, only 9% reported it to local police. Of that fraction, only 8% of cases reported ended in a conviction.
To Nicholas Brey, SJU ‘25 graduate and prior Central Minnesota Sexual Assault Center intern advocate, this case exemplifies the importance of supporting one another.
“When we can come together to amplify a single voice, the whole world can hear it,” Brey said via email.
He also urged CSB+SJU to expand their sexual assault outreach programming.
“Create spaces where students and staff are comfortable disclosing and assure them that they are believed, validated, and will be supported through the process they choose,” Brey said. “Students should never have to question whether their university is more concerned with protecting its reputation than protecting its community.”
CSB+SJU President Brian Bruess did not respond for comment at the time of publication.
During closing arguments, prosecutors played the 911 call again, urging the jurors to remember the victim in the case.
“He did this after [the victim] offered him a safe place to sleep that night. She just wanted to keep him safe,” prosecutor Brianna Long said. “[The victim] has carried the weight of that night since Jan. 27, and then she brought it to me, and I am bringing it to you. It’s yours now. Find him guilty.”
The jurors were sent to deliberate at 11 a.m., with the court reconvening at 12:58 p.m. to read the verdict. As it was read, Kimithi and his lawyers did not visibly react, while the victim’s family was tearful. The jurors, who were predominantly white, all affirmed their decision individually before the judge. The jury was made up of seven men and five women.
The victim said that despite the challenges, she felt she always had people on her side.
“This was the hardest thing I’ve had to do in my life,” the victim said. “And I guess my message is if this ever happens to you, speak out, because if you don’t speak out, it could happen to someone else.”
