Man accused of killing 3 Muslim men in Albuquerque enters not guilty plea

A lawyer for a person accused in the Albuquerque slayings of three Muslim men entered a not guilty plea Friday on her consumer’s behalf because the group continues its battle to grasp the motives behind the killings.

Muhammad Syed, 51, appeared remotely for the court docket listening to and can stay held with out bond pending trial. The Afghan refugee is charged with three counts of homicide and tampering with proof, and police have recognized him because the suspect in the killing of a fourth Muslim man.

Syed, who has been in the U.S. along with his household for a number of years, beforehand denied involvement in the killings when authorities detained him earlier this month.

Authorities have not disclosed a motive for the killings, however prosecutors have described Syed as having a violent historical past. His public defenders have argued that earlier allegations of home violence in opposition to Syed by no means resulted in convictions.

Authorities have stated they’ve linked bullet casings discovered at two of the crime scenes with casings discovered in Syed’s automobile and with weapons discovered at his house and in his automobile.

Syed was arrested Aug. 8, greater than 100 miles from his Albuquerque house, after suggestions led investigators to the Syed household. He instructed authorities he was on his technique to Texas to discover a new house for his household, saying he was involved concerning the ambush-style killings.

Syed has been charged with these killings:

• Aftab Hussein, 41, was slain July 26 after parking his automotive in his regular spot close to his house.
• Muhammad Afzaal Hussain, a 27-year-old city planner who had labored on the marketing campaign of a New Mexico congresswoman, was gunned down Aug. 1 whereas taking his night stroll.
• Naeem Hussain was shot Aug. 5 as he sat in his automobile outdoors a refugee resettlement company on town’s south facet following funeral companies for 2 of the opposite taking pictures victims. Shots have been fired at Hussain’s SUV, hanging him in the top and the arm.

Syed is the first suspect — however hasn’t been charged — in final November’s slaying of Muhammad Zahir Ahmadi, a 62-year-old Afghan immigrant who was fatally shot in the top behind the market he owned.

Muhammad Imtiaz Hussain, the older brother of Muhammad Afzaal Hussain, stated in an interview Friday that his household is heartbroken and annoyed as a result of they don’t know why the younger man from Pakistan would have been focused or how he would have crossed paths with Syed.

The two men have been from totally different Islamic backgrounds. Syed speaks Pashto and no English. Muhammad Afzaal Hussain, who was the son of an elementary faculty instructor, studied legislation and human useful resource administration on the University of Punjab earlier than coming to the U.S. in 2017.

“These questions are rattling in my mind,” the sufferer’s brother stated. (*3*)

Muhammad Afzaal Hussain was working as town of Española’s planning and land use director after receiving a grasp’s diploma from the University of New Mexico. During his time at UNM, he grew to become a pupil chief and an advocate for the worldwide group.

His colleagues and people in political circles described him as having a brilliant future. His brother stated his final aim was to open a college in their hometown in Pakistan so different youngsters may very well be afforded a top quality schooling.

Muhammad Imtiaz Hussain stated that mission will proceed.

“My brother died but we will aim to make more brothers and sisters like him who can inspire people, who work for the benefit of humanity, who help others, who raise their voice for others,” he stated.