Stepdad to learn fate for brutal murder

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Mohamed Mohamud will learn his fate Thursday, after a crime people describe as vicious, horrifying and brutal. Mohamud faces up to 25 years to life for murdering his stepson.

In October, a jury found Ali Mohamed Mohamud guilty of murdering 10-year-old Abdifatah Mohamud. The step father gagged the boy with a sock and duct tape, bound his hands and beat him nearly 70 times with a rolling pin.

District Attorney Frank Sedita said prosecutors fought the case as if Abdi were their own son.

Prosecutor Thomas Finnerty said, “One blow with tremendous force on the head. That's enough for intentional murder, standing alone. Standing alone.”

The defense tried to get the jury to believe Mohamud never intended to kill the boy, but during the four-day long trial, they never called any witnesses to back the claim.

Defense Attorney Kevin Spitler said, “That was based on conversations with my client, that his intent was not to cause the death of his son.”

But it wasn’t enough to convince jurors. When the trial was taking place, it was really hard on Abdifatah’s mom. There were many times when she and others had to leave the courtroom when evidence was being presented.

Hopefully Thursday’s verdict can offer some closure and justice for Abdi’s family and Buffalo’s Somali community.