The Fairfax County Circuit Courtroom indicted Darwin Martinez-Torres of Sterling, Virginia, on Monday on 4 counts of capital homicide for killing Nabra, who was with associates whereas they’d a meal earlier than Ramadan companies. Dozens of individuals had gathered outdoors the courthouse at present, chanting “Justice for Nabra.”
Virginia regulation has particular circumstances for pursuing the dying penalty, however the Related Press reported that the grand jury’s indictment described in graphic element how Nabra’s killing was grounds for a dying penalty towards Martinez-Torres. The indictment seems to acknowledge for the primary time that the 17-year-old Muslim teen was raped. Beneath state regulation, the mix of a rape cost with a premeditated homicide cost means the dying penalty might be pursued.
Police have stated that Martinez-Torres, who’s an undocumented immigrant, bought right into a confrontation on June 18 with a bunch of teenagers strolling again to the All Dulles Space Muslim Society after grabbing a late meal. He’s accused of returning later and beating Nabra with a baseball bat. Police stated Nabra’s physique was later found in a pond. A search warrant affidavit revealed that Martinez-Torres admitted to killing Nabra and had led authorities to the place he dumped her physique, AP reported.
Nabra’s dad and mom and Muslim advocates have stated that Nabra’s dying was motivated by hate, however police has stated that they won’t deal with the killing as a hate crime. As an alternative, police have stated it was a highway rage incident.
“The explanation this man he hit my daughter is as a result of she’s Muslim,” Nabra’s father Mahmoud Hassanen informed WAMU. “Why [didn’t he] hit the boy who bothered him?”
Nabra’s father added that he hoped for the dying penalty, whereas her mom stated she wished Martinez-Torres to serve life in jail.
“I simply need folks to recollect her, and do not forget her,” Mahmoud informed WAMU. “I believe no one can neglect her too, for what she did in her life.”
A preliminary listening to for Martinez-Torres reportedly turned emotional on Friday, with Nabra’s dad and mom each shouting on the suspect in court docket. Nabra’s mom Sawsan Gazzar apparently threw a shoe at Martinez-Torres throughout the proceedings.
READ MORE: D.C. memorial for slain Muslim teen was set on hearth, officers say
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