Man handed 8-year jail term for murder attempt

AMMAN — The Court of Cassation has upheld a February Criminal Court ruling, sentencing a man to eight years in prison after convicting him of attempting to murder his relative over financial feuds in Irbid in June 2019. 

The Criminal Court declared the defendant guilty of shooting the victim with a shotgun on June 30 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.

Court papers said the defendant went to discuss a financial feud with the victim when “a heated argument” ensued between them.

“The argument turned into a scuffle and the defendant grabbed a shotgun and started firing in the air,” court papers said.

The defendant then pointed his weapon towards the victim and fired several rounds, according to court papers.

One bullet struck the victim in the stomach, the court added.

The victim survived the assault after undergoing surgery to his stomach, the court papers added. 

However, attending physicians at the hospital determined that the injuries were life-threatening and he survived due to medical interference.

The defendant contested the verdict through his lawyer arguing that the prosecution failed to provide “solid evidence” that would implicate his client.

Meanwhile, 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, Majid Azab, Nayef Samarat, Hayel Amr and Mohammad Khashashneh.