Saudi pleads guilty to killing Jewish friend in Houston [Underwent a religious reawakening]

Houston Chronicle ^ | Jan. 12, 2004, | ANDREW TILGHMAN

[SJackson]

A Saudi Arabian national who slashed a Jewish friend's throat after apparently undergoing a religious reawakening has pleaded guilty to murder rather than face trial.

Mohammed Ali Alayed, 23, faces up to 60 years in prison for the Aug. 6 attack in which Ariel Sellouk was almost decapitated with a knife.

Although Alayed went to a local mosque after the slaying and no clear motive was established, Houston police said they could not find any evidence that Sellouk, also 23, was killed because of his race or religion.

Alayed, of the 2500 block of Winrock, was arrested Aug. 14 in a friend's empty Galleria-area apartment. He initially was held without bail because he allegedly had told his roommate that he would flee to Saudi Arabia, but a judge set bail at $5 million in October.

Sellouk had been attending Houston Community College, but was taking a break from school to work in his father's business at the time he was slain, said his father, Michel Sellouk.

Sellouk, a Moroccan Jew who settled in Houston in 1982, said his son became friends with Alayed a few years ago. He said Alayed underwent "a religious experience" about two years ago, became a devout Muslim and broke off contact with Ariel.

On the day of the slaying, Sellouk said, Alayed called his son and suggested they get together. The two had drinks at a bar before going to Alayed's apartment about midnight.

Alayed's roommate told police the two were not arguing before Sellouk was killed.

According to court documents at the time bail was set, Alayed's family was giving him $60,000 a year to pursue his studies. Prosecutors said they believed he had dropped out of Houston Community College, however.

[SJackson]

If you'd like to be on or off this middle east/political ping list, please FR mail me.

[T.Smith]

Isn't this a "hate crime"? Where is equal protection for the Jewish man?

Also, how does it cost $60k per year to attend Community College?

[OpusatFR]

"...no clear motive was established."

He underwent a religious reawakening and there is no clear motive.

I have a gold mine in Pennsylvania I can sell you, Cheap too..

[veronica]

Although Alayed went to a local mosque after the slaying and no clear motive was established, Houston police said they could not find any evidence that Sellouk, also 23, was killed because of his race or religion.

Riiiiiiiiight. What is that Koran quote about kill the Jew where you find him???

[Diogenesis]

How many more must die because ISLAMIC HATE CRIMES against Jews and Christians in America are ignored?

FBI Arab translators cheered Sept. 11 at the FBI [while the FBI kept the FBI free of Jews]

FBI: Jews need not apply for Arabic linguist jobs - Thread 1

FBI: Jews need not apply for Arabic linguist jobs - Thread 2

[SAMWolf]

Houston police said they could not find any evidence that Sellouk, also 23, was killed because of his race or religion.

< Even the police can't be that f**** stupid!

[Viking2002]

Ah, just another example of the universal sense of brotherhood fostered by that peace-loving religion of Islam.

NOT.

[Salman]

Isn't this a "hate crime"? Where is equal protection for the Jewish man?

It's Texas, so the penalty really should be death, but I'm not dissatisfied that the perp is getting 60 years.

That's what's so good about Texas. No "hate crime" law needed. Just plain law is enough, as with the James Byrd murder.

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

Everyone who has a Muslim friend......beware!!

[RoseofTexas]

The Religion of Piece is a cult to be reckon with in the USA. We better start recognizing that their DEVOTION is strictly to annihilate Christians and Jews. Christians walk the path to gain the goal of eteranl life with love and forgiveness, but the muslim's path leads to destruction and death, to KILL ALL THE CHRISTIANS AND JEWS, then their reward will be 76 virgins and the keys to paradise. DANGEROUS CULT! Keep your eyes peel NEVER turn your back on a muslim!

[Donna Lee Nardo]

So sorry; no Christian or Jewish people are eligible for protection under hate laws. The world thinks that taking rights -- and the lives -- away from Christians and Jews is a good thing.

[monkeywrench]

"According to court documents at the time bail was set, Alayed's family was giving him $60,000 a year to pursue his studies. Prosecutors said they believed he had dropped out of Houston Community College, however"

Another student visa deal gone bad?

[semaj]

"Keep your eyes peel NEVER turn your back on a muslim!"

I agree with your sentiment, but, because I could be mistaken for a middle-eastern-type, I would appreciate it if you would please tone down the rhetoric. Be watchful? Yes, by all means keep your eyes and ears open. But to get hysterical about it will only serve to throw gas on the fire. If we as a society were to panic it could get to the point where a lot of innocent people are hurt, especially if we assume the policy of "shoot first and ask questions later" (metaphorically speaking of course).

[swarthyguy]

>>Although Alayed went to a local mosque

Anyone going to investigate to find whether the imam was an instigator?

Poor schmuck to have trusted this guy.

[xJones]

He initially was held without bail because he allegedly had told his roommate that he would flee to Saudi Arabia, but a judge set bail at $5 million in October.

There's nothing like the courage of your convictions. Slit a trusting old friend's throat after drinking Muslim-forbidden beverages in a bar and then trying to hightail it to home base in Saudi. The Saudi Muslim had cut off contacts with the Jew two years before and then called for this reunion and killed him, but it wasn't religiously motivated.

Stay tuned friends, it's moving to even Houston, Texas. If Jewish Americans continue to vote and donate to the Democratic Party, surely things will get better. < /sarcasm>

[rageaholic]

That was mighty islamic of him. I'm sure the INS worker who rubber stamped his entry visa sleeps well... ignorance is bliss.

[null and void]

ignorance is bliss.

Then why aren't more people happy???

[Salem]

Mighty Islamic of him indeed. Sounds like he was born again hard—metaphorically speaking.

Daniel Pipes has alluded to this type of potentiality.




If you'd like to be on or off this
Christian Supporters of Israel ping list,
please FR mail me. ~
    
There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had
spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass. (Joshua 21:45)
Letter To The President In Support Of Israel ~
'Final Solution,' Phase 2 ~