By Michael Zeff/TPS
Jerusalem (TPS) – Yosef Chaim Ben David was sentenced to life in prison on Tuesday evening in the Jerusalem District Court for murdering an Arab teenager last summer. In addition, Ben David is to pay approximately US$40,000 in restitution to his victim’s family.
Ben David was found guilty and convicted on April 19 for the kidnapping, torture and subsequent murder of 14-year-old Arab, Mohammed Abu Khdeir. He was also tried and found guilty of an unsuccessful kidnapping and attempted murder of a Arab youth the night before.
“For the crime of murder, the court sentences Ben David to the mandatory term of 25 years, a life sentence. For the other crimes we issue an additional 20 year prison term on top of the life sentence,” stated the presiding judge in his sentencing.
In total, Ben David will have to serve 45 years in prison.
“The cumulative nature of the sentence was called for due to the cruel nature of his offences,” the judge said.
The 29-year-old convict was the central suspect in the murder along with two other minors, both of whom were already sentenced to 20 year prison terms.
