Minor acquitted after killing father to save mother’s life

AMMAN — A minor who killed his father to stop him from killing his mother in May 2021 was acquitted by a higher court.

The Court of Cassation upheld an October 2021 Amman Court of Instance’s ruling acquitting the minor of manslaughter charges, ruling that he acted in defence of his mother. 

Court papers said the victim had divorced his wife, the minor defendant’s mother, almost 10 years before the incident. 

On May 30, the court maintained, the victim visited the defendant’s house to discuss an alimony matter with his former wife. 

An argument ensued, and the victim shouted at his former wife, telling her, “I want to get rid of you by killing you,” the court papers stated. 

The victim then drew a knife he had brought with him and stabbed his former wife in the neck, according to the court papers. 

The defendant attempted to push his father away, but was unable to stop him. The defendant then grabbed a kitchen knife and stabbed the victim five times in the back “to defend his mother”, the court transcripts said. 

The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital but died one week later from knife wounds sustained to his back, the court added.   

The mother survived the stabbing incident after undergoing several surgeries, the court maintained. 

The higher court stated that it was clear that the defendant’s actions were meant to save his mother’s life.

The Court of Cassation judges were Mahmoud Ebtoush, Nayef Samarat, Qassem Dughmi, Mohammad Khashashneh and Hammad Ghzawi.