Man handed 8-year prison term for attempted murder of his sister

AMMAN — The Cassation Court upheld a May Criminal Court ruling, sentencing a man to eight years in prison after convicting him of attempting to murder his sister on January 15 following a domestic dispute in Deir Alla in January of last year. 

The Criminal Court declared the defendant guilty of stabbing the 30-year-old victim in the chest and stomach following “a heated argument” and handed him a 12-year prison term.

However, the court decided to reduce the sentence to eight years in prison because the victim dropped the charges against the defendant.

The court papers said the defendant went to the victim’s house for a visit on the day of the incident.

While at her house, the court maintained, the victim screamed and yelled at her children.

The defendant asked her not to shout at her children and she responded by telling him that it was “none of his business,” according to court documents.

As a result, the court maintained, “The defendant slapped the victim in the face and she attempted to attack him.”

“The victim grabbed a kitchen knife to keep him away but the defendant drew a switchblade and stabbed his sister multiple times in the chest and stomach,” the court papers added.

The defendant then called one of his brothers and asked him to call an ambulance because he stabbed his sister, the court added.

The victim survived the assault after undergoing several surgeries at a nearby hospital, the court papers added. 

Attending physicians at the hospital determined that the injuries were life-threatening and she survived due to medical interference, the court papers added.

The defendant contested the Criminal Court’s ruling arguing that the “prosecution failed to provide solid evidence to convict him with the charges”.

The Criminal Court’s attorney general asked the higher court to uphold the ruling. 

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

The Cassation Court bench comprised judges Mohammad Ibrahim, Fawzi Nahar, Nayef Samarat, Majid Azab and Hayel Amr.