ABU DHABI // An Indian murderer was sentenced to life instead of death because he was depressed when he killed his colleague, the appeals court has heard.
The murderer was constantly bullied by his victim, who happened to be the brother of his brother's wife.
Case files show that the bully had threatened to kill the defendant and cut his body up and throw it into the sea.
When the co-workers were sleeping in their accommodation, the defendant woke up to go to the bathroom. On his way back he saw a vegetable cutting knife, which he picked up and stabbed the bully in the stomach before running away.
Colleagues were woken by the victim's screams and called police.
The criminal court ruled that depression was a factor in the case and dropped the death sentence to life in jail and payment of blood money to the tune of Dh200,000.
The hearing was adjourned to hear back from the victim's relatives.
HDajani@thenational.ae
