‘Obaida had resisted as much as he could’
dubai — Bruises on the body and a torn shirt indicate that Obaida had fought against the accused, a doctor testified at the Court of First Instance on Monday.
The forensic expert, who physically examined the 8-year-old child abuse victim, told the court that he spotted scratches and bruises on his body, suggesting that the child resisted as much as he could to stop the defendant from assaulting and strangling him.
The Court of First Instance resumed the hearing testimony on Monday in the case in which a 48-year-old Jordanian is facing charges including premeditated murder and kidnap of the boy, also from Jordan. The charges levelled against him also include physical assault, making criminal threats, consuming of alcohol without licence and drunk driving.
“Obaida was strangled to death; marks of strangling by hands were spotted on his neck. However, there were no fractures in the victim’s neck. The marks could also possibly be the result of tightening with a piece of clothes,” the doctor said in his statement before the court.
The doctor told the court that the accused was conscious at the time he was referred for blood sample tests and examination.
“The defendant’s blood sample did not contain traces of alcohol at the time he was examined. That may be because of the time that passed by between his consuming of alcohol and strangling of the child and the day he was caught.”
During the hearing, the presiding judge had to ask the victim’s father to leave the courtroom as he was raging with anger towards the defendant.
The accused tried to ask a question to the bench but he was told that his defence lawyer should do that.
The accused has alleged that the prisoners and wardens at the prison have intentionally ill-treated him and urged the court to contact human rights entities on behalf of him to intervene in his case. The next hearing, which will be held on August 1, will be open for public and the court will listen to other witnesses including police officers.
Earlier, the defendant had pleaded to have a closed door hearing.
Obaida was reported missing on May 20 and his body was found after two days.
mary@khaleejtimes.com Obaida was strangled to death; marks of strangling by hands were spotted on his neck. However, there were no fractures in the victim’s neck.”
Forensic expert’s testimony