12-year prison sentence upheld in stabbing, attempted murder case

AMMAN — The Cassation Court has upheld a December Criminal Court ruling sentencing a man to 12 years in prison after convicting him of attempting to murder a man in Karak in October 2018.

The Criminal Court declared the defendant guilty of attempting to murder the 18-year-old victim by stabbing him four times following a heated argument on October 25, 2018 and handed him the maximum sentence.

Court papers said that on the day of the incident, the victim went to a restaurant in his neighbourhood and met with the defendant, who started cursing at him. The verdict made no mention of the reasons behind the argument.

"The defendant drew a switchblade and stabbed the victim four times in the chest and back," court documents said.

The victim fell down and lost consciousness, and was rushed to a nearby hospital. The victim survived the stabbing after undergoing several surgeries, court papers added.

The defendant, through his lawyer, contested the court verdict, arguing that the prosecution had failed to present any solid evidence that would implicate his client.

The defence also argued that the witnesses provided contradictory statements “that could not be relied on”.

Meanwhile, the Criminal Court’s attorney general asked the higher court to uphold the 12-year sentence.

The higher court ruled that the Criminal Court proceedings had been accurate and that the defendant was given the appropriate punishment.

The higher court also ruled that the defendant had confessed willingly to the incident in front of the police and the Criminal Court prosecutor.

The Cassation Court bench comprised judges Mohammad Ibrahim, Yassin Abdullat, Rizeq Abulfoul, Hammad Ghzawi and Naji Zu’bi.