'There was nothing human about what they did': London, Ont. family angered after sentencing hearing in stabbing death
A London family is speaking out after a sentencing hearing for the three people who pleaded guilty in connection with the stabbing death of their loved one got underway in court.
Speaking to CTV News London, the brother of Mohammed Abdallah tried to contain his anger.
“It’s been over two years and I’m just as mad and frustrated as the day that it happened,” said Sami Abdallah, the brother of the stabbing victim.
Thinking of his sibling he added, “My brother had the best heart, he was the kindest person.”
The 29-year-old Abdallah was visiting a friend in the townhouses at Millbank Drive and Southdale Road on Aug. 29, 2021 when three people ganged up on him.
“Mr. Abdallah was stabbed, beaten and struck with a metal object that night…he was covering his head with his hands,” Crown Attorney Roger Dietrich told the court. “He was left in his own pool of blood.”
The court heard that Abdallah tried to get away from his attackers. After he was stabbed eight times, he crawled across Southdale Road until emergency crews arrived.
He died in hospital three days later.
“I’m Muslim and I washed his body, so I saw every single stab mark on his body. There was nothing human about what they did to him,” said Sami.
Three people, two women and one man, were originally charged with second-degree murder in connection with the case.
In November, Mary Caruana, 27, and Mercedes Summers, 21, pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter, while Colton Thomas, 22, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault.
In court on Friday, a sobbing and remorseful Caruana was sentenced 18 years in prison minus four years for time already served.
In the meantime, Summers and Thomas will be back in court on May 24 to learn their fate.
Thomas was released on bail while Summers remains in custody.
Before wrapping up Dietrich told the court, “Any hopes and dreams Mr. Abdallah’s family had, they just don’t have anymore because of what these two women did.”
“It’s been hell, it’s ruined my whole family, it broke my whole family down...it broke all our hearts,” Sami said outside the courthouse.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
W5 Investigates A 'ticking time bomb': Inside Syria's toughest prison holding accused high-ranking ISIS members
In the last of a three-part investigation, W5's Avery Haines was given rare access to a Syrian prison, where thousands of accused high-ranking ISIS members are being held.
Trudeau Liberals' two-month GST holiday bill passes the House, off to the Senate
The federal government's five-page piece of legislation to enact Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's promised two-month tax break on a range of consumer goods over the holidays passed in the House of Commons late Thursday.
Irregular sleep patterns may raise risk of heart attack and stroke, study suggests
Sleeping and waking up at different times is associated with an increased risk of heart attack and stroke, even for people who get the recommended amount of sleep, according to new research.
California man who went missing for 25 years found after sister sees his picture in the news
It’s a Thanksgiving miracle for one California family after a man who went missing in 1999 was found 25 years later when his sister saw a photo of him in an online article, authorities said.
As Australia bans social media for children, Quebec is paying close attention
As Australia moves to ban social media for children under 16, Quebec is debating whether to follow suit.
Notre Dame Cathedral: Sneak peak ahead of the reopening
After more than five years of frenetic reconstruction work, Notre Dame Cathedral showed its new self to the world Friday, with rebuilt soaring ceilings and creamy good-as-new stonework erasing somber memories of its devastating fire in 2019.
Canada Post temporarily laying off striking workers, union says
The union representing Canada Post workers says the Crown corporation has been laying off striking employees as the labour action by more than 55,000 workers approaches the two-week mark.
Can't resist Black Friday weekend deals? How to shop while staying within your budget
A budgeting expert says there are a number of ways shoppers can avoid getting enveloped by the sales frenzy and resist spending beyond their means.
Montreal shopping mall playing 'Baby Shark' song to prevent unhoused from loitering
A shopping mall and office complex in downtown Montreal is being criticized for using the popular children's song 'Baby Shark' to discourage unhoused people from loitering in its emergency exit stairwells.