Updated 02/29/2012 05:00 PM
Abdul-Jaleel Guilty on Both Counts
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Faheem Abdul-Jaleel put his head in his hands as the verdict was read. He was found guilty Wednesday of trying to kill his 13-year-old cousin, who he had stabbed in the neck back in June 2011.
The girl, Samina Quasim, survived that attack. She did not testify during the trial.
The attack took place in the garage of the family’s Henrietta home. Abdul-Jaleel maintained that he didn’t try to kill his cousin, who he stabbed repeatedly in the neck.
Over four-plus days of deliberation, the question of intent was one which jurors wrestled with.
“He was asked that a number of times by the police, by everybody, and he repeatedly said no,” said John Bradley, defense attorney.
“Obviously, the standard in the case is proof beyond a reasonable doubt, and the jury of 12 just found that we did prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt, but that Mr. Abdul-Jaleel did attempt to cause her death and did cause physical injury to her,” said Patrick Farrell, prosecutor.
Attorneys could also not agree on Abdul-Jaleel’s age. His attorney says he was 15 years old at the time of the stabbing; however, Farrell says he has documentation that indicates Abdul-Jaleel was 16.
If he was 15 at the time of the stabbing, Abdul-Jaleel would be sentenced under youthful offender status, and could only receive a maximum of four years in prison. The maximum for being sentenced as an adult is 25 years.
Sentencing is scheduled for April 5th.