WASHINGTON — Outbursts by the parents of a 17-year-old Muslim girl who was slain as she walked to a mosque with friends delayed a Friday court hearing for the man accused of the crime.
Nabra Hassanen’s mother threw a shoe at 22-year-old Darwin Martinez Torres, the defendant, and shouted “I’ll kill you.” Her father, Mahmoud Hassanen, was restrained by deputies as he moved toward Martinez Torres at a preliminary hearing Friday.
During the outbursts, at least five people were told to leave the courtroom. Two people, including the father, were carried out by guards. The courtroom was cleared and the hearing was moved to smaller courtroom where media could watch via a video feed in separate courtroom, reports WTOP’s Mike Murillo.
Martinez-Torres waived his right for a preliminary hearing. The case will go to a grand jury next.
People gather outside the court house chanting “justice for Nabra.” @WTOP pic.twitter.com/sHER1kDXBS
— Mike Murillo (@MikeMurilloWTOP) October 13, 2017
“It’s very hard on the family, especially when they see the accused for the first time, but I thought the sheriffs did a great job in clearing the court,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Ray Morrogh.
Mahmoud Hassanen said it it still tough to cope with his loss.
“Every day I think about my daughter,” he told WTOP.
Torres, 22, a citizen of El Salvador, has been charged with murder in Hassanen’s death. The search warrant reveals police found suspected bloodstains in the back seat and on the passenger door of Martinez Torres’ red 2009 Pontiac sedan when he was pulled over by Fairfax County police.
Police have said there is no indication the teen was killed because of her religion and instead said road rage led to the attack.
Hassanen was part of a group of as many as 15 teens who were walking back from McDonald’s to the All Dulles Area Muslim Society mosque, shortly after 3:30 a.m. June 18. The mosque was holding an all-night sleepover event during Ramadan.
The Associated Press and WTOP’s Mike Murillo contributed to this report from Fairfax.
