THE SHAFIA FAMILY

When: June 30th, 2009

Who: Zainab Shafia (19), Sahar Shafia (17), Geeti Shafia (13), and their step mother, Rona Amir (54)

Where: Kingston Locks, outside of Kingston city

What: On July 22nd, 2009, police found out that all 4 victims were killed by their own family which included Mohammed Shafia, his second wife Tooba Yahya, and their eldest son Hamed Shafia.

Why: The family found out that the two eldest daughters had secrete boyfriends and wore unacceptable clothing outside of the house. They were afraid of the young girls dishonoring the family and killed his first wife because she had a close bound with the girls.

1. Geeti Shafia

2. Zainab shafia

3. Sahar Shafia

4. Rona Amir

1. Mohammed Shafia (58)

2. Tooba Yahya (42)

3. Hamed Shafia (21)

What is this case about?

The killing of 4 innocent Canadian citizens by their own family members.

Defense Case

Sentence

Appeals

All three convicted have the intention to appeal their charges of four counts of first-degree murder. they still want others to believe that they are innocent.

"We are not criminal, we are not murderers, we didn't commit the murder and this is unjust" -Mohammed Shafia

Mohammed Shafia: Four counts of first-degree murder, life in prison, and 25 years without parole.

Tooba Yahya: Four counts of first-degree murder, life in prison, and 25 years without parole

Hamed Shafia: Four counts of first-degree murder, life in prison, and 25 years without parole

- The whole family was staying at a motel. They were on their way home to Montreal from Niagara falls when they decided to stay in Kingston for the night. Zainab asked her mother for the keys to the Nissan so they could go for a late night drive.

- Hamed told a private investigator that he followed the girls and seen them fall inside accidently and didn't call for help because he feared his father.

- Both father and mother exclaimed they loved their daughters and would never committ such a crime.

- Brent White states, " it had to be driven there on purpose" as their cars path consisted of traveling past a locked gate, a concrete curd, a rocky outcrop and two U-turns in order to land in the locks.

- Pieces of the Lexus's broken headlights were found near the water.

- Son, Hamed searched up "where to commit a murder "

- Rona's diary was found inside the Shafia household. The diary consists of many stories and events that occurred in the family.

Introduction

Synopsis of the case

Murderers

Crown Case

Parole

- All three accused applied for appeal towards their sentencing.

- Canadian law allows inmates convicted of first-degree murder to apply for parole after serving a minimum of 25 years.

- They must all wait to apply for parole for 25 years.

Current Status

- eldest three daughters dead

- eldest son in prison for life

- 3 youngest kids taken care of by social workers

- first wife dead

- second wife in prison for life

- Mohammed Shafia in prison for life

Controversy

Questions came up about whether to call the murder honor killing or domestic violence. " Honor or not, its a murder and it will be treated as a murder in the Canadian Courts."

Impact on Canadian Law and Culture

- Honor killing and Domestic violence still occur

- Over think the immigration laws

- Wanted justice for the deceased

- Many left shaken and terrified

- No excuse for murder

Conclusion

- Life in prison

- Justice is served

- Was planned and deliberate

THE SHAFIA FAMILY