Murder suspect argues Tri-Cities victim was girlfriend’s violent stalker
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Defendant pleads not guilty; attorney says stabbing was self-defense for family protection.
- Prosecutors cite second-degree murder charge and risk of flight; judge keeps $1M bail.
- Security footage and witness accounts show brief fight; victim died from single chest wound.
A 27-year-old Kennewick man pleaded innocent Friday to stabbing a man during a fight outside the Dollar Tree in Kennewick.
Abdullah Hussein‘s attorney argued during his arraignment hearing on Friday that Hussein was defending himself, his girlfriend and their young child from her ex-boyfriend who had a history of stalking.
Prosecutors charged Hussein with second-degree murder for allegedly killing Ali Al Juboori, 26, of Kennewick, in a brief fight Monday night.
He’s being held in the Benton County jail on $1 million
His attorney, Joseph Faurholt, argued that the Southridge High School graduate should be released from the Benton County jail to go back home to his girlfriend, his job and his child. And that what he did would have been no different if he had a gun.
“He has deep ties in the community. He has no criminal record. He has no unpaid tickets,” Faurholt said during Friday’s hearing. “My client did not leave the scene. He summoned aid. He did exactly what he should do.”
Faurholt claimed he had pages of printouts showing that Al Juboori had used more than 40 social media accounts to stalk his ex-girlfriend. He argued that Al Juboori had a history of violating court orders.
Prosecutor Josh Lilly said the nature of the charge was enough to give Hussein a reason to flee the Tri-Cities. He did note that other people charged with murder have gotten similar bail set.
“Since we’re going to argue the facts of the case, the defendant stands accused of stabbing an unarmed man,” Lilly said. “I would also point out that all those issues (with Al Juboori) happened by the witnesses own admission four or five years ago.”
Judge Bronson Brown agreed the defendant doesn’t have any criminal history, but this is one of the most violent crimes someone can commit.
“The court is very concerned about the defendant and if he’s released and what could happen,” he said. “Substantial bail is appropriate.”
He maintained the bail at $1 million.
Stabbing at Dollar Tree
Security footage from Dollar Tree shows Al Juboori and his mother park at the Kennewick store about 9:15 p.m. Monday, Feb. 2, and go inside, court documents said.
Hussein, his girlfriend and their small child park next to Al Juboori’s car and also enter the store, court documents said.
Juboori and Hussein’s girlfriend had dated for about five years before breaking it off in 2021. The relationship was marked with domestic violence, she told investigators.
While Hussein was inside, Juboori left the store and allegedly stood in the shadows near the front of his ex-girlfriend’s car, court documents said.
Hussein’s girlfriend and another witness saw Juboori standing there when Hussein, his girlfriend and the child came outside.
Juboori reportedly charged at Hussein and they fought.
Juboori stumbled back and collapsed. He was stabbed once in the chest, said investigators. Hussein then reportedly told his girlfriend to call 911 because he had stabbed Juboori.
A witness tried to provide medical aid before help arrived. Kennewick firefighters arrived minutes later, but weren’t able to save Juboori, who died at the scene.
When police spoke to Hussein, he allegedly said, “I did it. The knife is on the back of my car.”
Police found the knife, which Hussein says he normally carries, on top of his trunk.
Juboori’s death is the first homicide this year in Benton County. Last year, there were just two homicides in the county.