Man’s 20-year sentence upheld in ‘accidental’ death of friend

AMMAN — The Cassation Court has upheld a December Criminal Court decision sentencing a man to 20 years in prison after convicting him of murdering a man in Irbid in July 2015.

The Criminal Court handed the defendant the maximum sentence after convicting him of shooting and killing the victim while attempting to empty his pistol on July 15.

 Court documents said the defendant and the victim went for a ride and stopped in a wooded area.

“The defendant drew a gun and started shooting into the air,” court papers said.

The victim asked the defendant to stop shooting, “so the defendant decided to empty the weapon”.

“The defendant knew there was one bullet still stuck inside and while attempting to empty the gun, and at the same time pointing the weapon towards the victim, a bullet was discharged and struck the victim in the chest,” court papers said.

The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital by an ambulance where he died shortly afterwards, according to court transcripts. 

The defendant contested the court ruling, arguing that he “did not intend to kill the victim and the bullet was discharged accidentally”.

However, the Cassation Court ruled that the Criminal Court’s judgement fell within the rule of law, and that the proceedings were proper and that the sentence given was satisfactory.

“The defendant knew the dangers of playing with a weapon,” the higher court ruled.

The Cassation Court tribunal comprised judges Mohammad Ibrahim, Yassin Abdullat, Bassem Mubeidin, Naji Zu’bi and Majid Azab.