A Jordanian immigrant trial started today for the so-called honor killing of his son-in-law and a local Iranian activist, in murders that happened nearly a year apart.
Prosecutor Jon Stephenson painted Ali Irsan as a man who wanted blood.
In a passionate opening statement, Stephenson said when Irsan lost control over his daughter’s actions he turned violent. He enlisted his family’s help to stalk her, her husband, and her close friend before carrying out the murders.
“He had a list of those who he wanted to kill,” said Stephenson. “He wanted to kill all of those involved in bringing shame and dishonor, in his mind, to his family.”
Defense attorney Allen Tanner said at the end of the trial no one will know who really killed Coty Beavers and Gelareh Bagherzadeh.
He said the daughter can’t be trusted. She was full of hate for her father. Tanner argued Irsan did not murder the two people. It’s not a case of “honor killings.”
“She (Irsan’s daughter) is going to tell you she was kidnapped, handcuffed and beaten,” said Tanner. “I don’t believe them. It’s up to you to decide if you really believe her.”
This all started back in 2012. Two people were killed 10 months apart and prosecutors say Ali Irsan is to blame.
ORIGINAL STORY 4/22/15*************************************************
New charges were filed today in the investigation in the deaths of an Iranian student and her boyfriend’s twin brother.
We’ve learned Ali Awad Mahmoud Irsan is charged with capital murder and his son, Nasim Ali Irsan, is charged with murder. Nadia Irsan is facing a stalking charge.
Both Coty Beavers and Gelareh Bagherzadeh were killed in 2012. Beavers is Irsan’s son-in-law.
The Harris County District Attorney’s Office is holding a press conference at 2:30 to discuss the new charges.
Irsan was first arrested last year following two raids on their home on Irwin Keel in East Montgomery County.
It was then multiple FBI units with the assistance of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department swarmed a home on Irwin Keel. It occurred at the same location as the previous raid that resulted in the arrest of Ali Irsan, who was charged in the murder of Gelareh. Bagherzadeh was fatally shot near the Galleria in 2012.
**********************THE RAID
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Thursday afternoon just after 3 pm multiple FBI units with the assistance of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department swarmed a home on Irwin Keel just off Firetower Road near Grangerland. This is the same location f the last raid in which resulted in the arrest of Ali Irsan, who was charged in the murder of Gelareh. Bagherzadeh was fatally shot near the Galleria in 2012.
Irsan’s wife and daughter were also arrested last week on federal fraud charges.
