A man charged with kidnapping and murdering his estranged wife three weeks ago made his first public court appearance this morning.
Thirty-six-year-old Ibrahim Alahmad was seen in a courtroom today for the first time since he was charged with first-degree murder.
He was arrested on March 5, not long after his ex-wife’s body was found in a secluded and abandoned house in Outer Cove.
His two previous court appearances were over the phone from the Health Sciences Centre, where he was treated for injuries sustained around the same time as the homicide.
But he has since been released from hospital, and appeared today on video from HMP—sporting a large white bandage on his left hand and forearm.
The Syrian man repeatedly expressed concern, through an Arabic translator, about being able to retain the lawyer of his choice.
Legal Aid’s Mark Gruchy confirmed Alahmad has applied for a lawyer, adding he should have permanent counsel by the next court date on April 11.
Alahmad was visible in the courtroom today, but the judge barred media from taking pictures or video of him, citing the privacy of the couple’s five surviving children.