Afghan refugee enters not responsible plea in Muslim slayings

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A lawyer for an Afghan refugee accused within the Albuquerque slayings of three Muslim entered a not responsible plea Friday on her consumer’s behalf because the group continues its battle to grasp the motives behind the killings.

Muhammad Syed, 51, appeared remotely for the courtroom listening to and can stay held with out bond pending trial. He’s charged with three counts of homicide and tampering with proof, and police have recognized him because the suspect within the killing of a fourth Muslim man.

Syed, who has been within the U.S. along with his household for a number of years, beforehand denied involvement within the killings when authorities detained him earlier this month.

Authorities haven’t disclosed a motive for the killings, however prosecutors have described Syed as having a violent historical past. His public defenders have argued that earlier allegations of home violence towards Syed by no means resulted in convictions.

Authorities have stated they’ve linked bullet casings discovered at two of the crime scenes with casings present in Syed’s automobile and with weapons discovered at his house and in his automobile.

Syed was arrested Aug. 8 greater than 100 miles (160 kilometers) from his Albuquerque house after ideas led investigators to the Syed household. He instructed authorities he was on his option to Texas to discover a new house for his household, saying he was involved in regards to the ambush-style killings.

Syed has been charged with these killings:

— Aftab Hussein, 41, was slain July 26 after parking his automobile in his typical spot close to his house.

— Muhammad Afzaal Hussain, a 27-year-old city planner who had labored on the marketing campaign of a New Mexico congresswoman, was gunned down Aug. 1 whereas taking his night stroll.

— Naeem Hussain was shot Aug. 5 as he sat in his automobile exterior a refugee resettlement company on the town’s south facet following funeral providers for 2 of the opposite taking pictures victims. Pictures had been fired at Hussain’s SUV, placing him within the head and the arm.

Syed is the first suspect — however hasn’t been charged — in final November’s slaying of Muhammad Zahir Ahmadi, a 62-year-old Afghan immigrant who was fatally shot within the head behind the market he owned.

Muhammad Imtiaz Hussain, the older brother of Muhammad Afzaal Hussain, stated in an interview Friday that his household is heartbroken and pissed off as a result of they don’t know why the younger man from Pakistan would have been focused or how he would have crossed paths with Syed.

The 2 males had been from totally different Islamic backgrounds. Syed speaks Pashto and no English. Muhammad Afzaal Hussain, who was the son of an elementary college trainer, studied legislation and human useful resource administration on the College of Punjab earlier than coming to the U.S. in 2017.

“These questions are rattling in my thoughts,” the sufferer’s brother stated. “For those who punish him (Syed) for 10 years, 20, 30, 1,000 or 1,000,000 years, how would I fulfill myself if I don’t know why he killed my brother? What occurred to him? For me, for justice, we have to know why.”

Muhammad Afzaal Hussain was working as the town of Española’s planning and land use director after receiving a grasp’s diploma from the College of New Mexico. Throughout his time at UNM, he grew to become a pupil chief and an advocate for the worldwide group.

His colleagues and people in political circles described him as having a shiny future. His brother stated his final objective was to open a college of their hometown in Pakistan so different youngsters could possibly be afforded a top quality training.

Muhammad Imtiaz Hussain stated that mission will proceed.

“My brother died however we are going to purpose to make extra brothers and sisters like him who can encourage folks, who work for the advantage of humanity, who assist others, who increase their voice for others,” he stated.