A jury in Phoenix will hear opening statements Monday in the murder case of an Iraqi immigrant accused of killing his daughter because he believed she was too Westernized.
Police and prosecutors say Faleh Hassan Almaleki intentionally slammed his Jeep into his 20-year-old daughter Noor Almaleki and her boyfriend’s mother in October 2009.
The mother lived, but Noor Almaleki died from her injuries after two weeks in a coma.
The 50-year-old has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, aggravated assault and leaving the scene of a serious injury accident.
His attorneys have not disclosed their defense strategy publicly. Plea negotiations that had been under way for weeks failed just before jury selection began.