First-Degree Murder Case Bypassing Prelim, Going Straight To Trial

A Syrian man charged with first-degree murder in the death of his estranged wife is going straight to trial.

Thirty-six-year-old Ibrahim Alahmad was arrested on March 5, just hours after the woman’s body was found in an abandoned house in Outer Cove.

He’s also accused of kidnapping her just prior to her death.

There is a court-imposed publication ban on the victim’s identity, as well as the five young children the couple had together.

Alahmad has been in custody since his arrest, with numerous court appearances to date dealing with various issues, including translation services and the transfer of evidence from the Crown to the defence.

Ibrahim Alahmad (Via Facebook)

In provincial court this morning, the Crown announced it will be proceeding by direct indictment in the case, which expedites the matter to trial without a preliminary inquiry, which is usually held to determine if there’s enough evidence to warrant a trial.

Formal arraignment is set for Sept. 9th in Supreme Court.

According to the Public Prosecution Service of Canada, “the controlling factor in all instances is whether the public interest requires a departure from the usual procedure of indictment.”

For example, a direct indictment can be approved “where there is a reasonable basis to believe that the lives, safety or security of witnesses or their families may be in peril, and the potential for interference with them can be reduced significantly by bringing the case directly to trial without preliminary inquiry.”

Alahmad was already facing a dozen charges involving the victim and her children before the homicide occurred, including multiple counts of assault with a weapon, uttering threats, causing bodily harm by choking, assault, and forcible confinement.

Those matters have been postponed until January 2025, pending developments in Supreme Court.