Source:
Jerusalem Post Israel News
Despite admitting regret, saying, "I apologize and ask forgiveness," the court threw the book at Ben David almost right after sentencing arguments concluded. The quick decision was unusual with courts usually taking days or even weeks to decide sentencing after hearing arguments from the sides.
Responding to the conviction in April, MK Ahmed Tibi (Joint List) said the court had reached the correct decision. But at the same time, he attacked the absence of a process to demolish the house of Ben David at a press conference immediately after the verdict.
A defense lawyer for Ben David in April said, unfortunately, the court did not accept our arguments. We will make additional arguments regarding his emotional state to get leniency for sentencing and we will consider an appeal.
The state prosecution responded to the April verdict stating that Ben David was convicted in the murder of an innocent teenager whose life was taken from him suddenly with extreme brutality and for attempting to kidnap another boy, an eight-year-old boy! The crimes were committed by the accus
Coming into a December date for hearing the verdict, there was little doubt that Ben David would be convicted by the three judge panel of Jacob Zavan, Rivkah Friedman-Feldman and Rafi Carmel with the insanity plea having nothing legal to stand on.
But right before the verdict, Ben Davids lawyer, Asher Ohayon, shocked the courtroom, having quietly (without notice to the public) produced to the court days before an insanity plea psychiatric opinion just in time for the verdict.
