Man sentenced to death for murdering, robbing sister-in-law

AMMAN — The Court of Cassation has upheld a January Criminal Court ruling, sentencing a 41-year-old man to death after convicting him of robbing and murdering his sister-in-law in November 2015.

The court declared the defendant guilty of the premeditated murder of his 47-year-old sister-in-law by striking her with an iron bar on November 4 while at her home and handed him the death penalty.

The court also ordered the defendant to pay JD45,000 in compensation for the victim's family.

Court documents said the defendant decided to rob his sister-in-law so he went to her house when his brother was not there.

"The victim welcomed the defendant and while preparing coffee for him he struck her with an iron bar repeatedly on her head until he made sure she was dead," court documents said.

The defendant searched the victim's purse and took her mobile and left, court documents said.

 "The defendant travelled to Zarqa and sold the victim's mobile for JD40 then returned to Amman and took part in the condolences services for his victim," court papers added.

The defendant contested the Criminal Court’s ruling charging "the court failed to question several witnesses in the case”.

The Court of Cassation rejected his claims and ruled that the Criminal Court’s ruling was accurate and the defendant deserved the sentence he received.