The victim, Khalil Khalil. (Credit: Faraya municipality's Facebook page.)
BEIRUT — Interim chief investigating judge near the Mount Lebanon Court of Appeal, Nicolas Mansour, on Tuesday issued the indictment in the Faraya crime case, which occurred seven months ago in February.
The victim, 20-year-old Khalil Khalil, was killed during the night of February 1-2 following an altercation with Romario Slim over right of way. After the dispute, Romario contacted his friend Jonathan Chamoun to pursue Khalil, according to a source close to the case.
Feeling chased, Khalil headed to a hotel owned by his father in Faraya while calling his brother for help. Upon reaching the hotel’s parking lot, he stopped his car and got out. Jonathan, driving a car with his companion Teresa Sahyoun, reportedly struck Khalil violently multiple times.
Judge Mansour classified Jonathan’s act as a crime under Article 549 of the Penal Code. Jonathan faces the death penalty, as he is accused of intentional homicide. The same applies to his accomplices, who are accused of participating in the murder. Article 549/219 of the Penal Code defines accomplices as those who assist, accept, hide evidence, profit from, or support the crime. However, Lebanon has had a moratorium on the death penalty since 2004.
Judge Mansour classified Jonathan’s act as a crime under Article 549 of the Penal Code. Jonathan faces the death penalty, as he is accused of intentional homicide. The same applies to his accomplices, who are accused of participating in the murder. Article 549/219 of the Penal Code defines accomplices as those who assist, accept, hide evidence, profit from, or support the crime. However, Lebanon has had a moratorium on the death penalty since 2004.
