Cassation Court overturns 12-year sentence

AMMAN — The Cassation Court has overturned a March Criminal Court ruling, sentencing a man to 12 years in prison after convicting him of attempting to murder a man following a brawl in September 2021.

The Criminal Court declared the defendant guilty of attempted murder, stemming from “a heated dispute” with the victim, on September 22, after which, the defendant was given the maximum sentence.

However, the higher court ruled that the Criminal Court prosecutor failed to provide sufficient evidence to implicate the defendant.

“The prosecutor did not present any evidence that linked the defendant to the crime he is charged with,” the Court of Cassation stated.

Court papers said the defendant and the victim had an old feud.

On the day of the incident, the court maintained, the defendant went to the victim’s house and “started throwing rocks towards the building”.

When the victim went outside to discuss the matter, “the defendant drew a switchblade and stabbed the victim in the waist,” the court documents said. 

The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital, and survived the stabbing incident after undergoing surgery, the court papers added.

The defendant contested his ruling via his lawyer arguing that “the prosecution failed to provide solid evidence to implicate his client”.

The defendant also charged that the court relied on contradictory statements from the witnesses and the victim.

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

The Cassation Court bench comprised judges Mohammad Ibrahim, Yassin Abdullat, Hammad Ghzawi, Nayef Samarat and Qassem Dughmi.