Created: 3.Mar.2016
Last update: 2.Nov.2016
Section: Crime
The Ontario Court of Appeal emphatically dismissed the appeals of the Shafia family today (2.Nov.2016). Justice David Watt, writing for the court, said, "Charitably put, the evidence of guilt was overwhelming."
• Appeal dismissed in Shafia family murder convictions (CBC, 2.Nov.2016)
• Murderous Shafias fail in appeal of four convictions (Toronto Sun opinion piece, 2.Nov.2016)
BackgroundHamed Shafia is currently serving a life sentence with no chance of parole for 25 years. He was convicted in 2012 along with his father, Mohammad Shafia, and his step-mother, Tooba Yahya, for the 2009 murder near Kingston of his three sisters and Rona Amir.In August 2016, his lawyers argued that his birthdate was mistaken and that, if correct, he should have been tried in youth court. The Crown responded that there is doubt about the reliability of the birth certificate and other documents. After hearing arguments, the appeal judges reserved their decision.
In January, 2012 the parents, Mohammad Shafia and Tooba Yahya were found guilty of murder along with their son Hamed. Their three teenage daughters and Shafia's first wife were found in a car in a Rideau Canal lock at Kingston Mills, near Kingston, ON.
Related LinksEvidence in Shafia case was 'overwhelming': Crown (Whig, 4.Mar.2016)
No new trials needed for Shafia parents and son, Crown lawyers argue (Globe, 4.Mar.2016)
Shafia jury finds all guilty of 1st-degree murder (CBC, 29.Jan.2012)