Glasgow Reacts To Bahaa Sam Jury Verdict

JOLIET, IL - A Will County jury on Thursday evening found Tinley Park resident Bahaa Sam guilty of first-degree murder in the barbaric Dec. 19, 2012 murder of his 38-year-old wife Nermeen. The murder victim was beaten to death by Sam with a weightlifting bar.

Her body was later moved and put outside in the yard of the family's home. She was clubbed with the curling bar at least 10 times. The couple's 4-year-old son witnessed the crime. Prosecutors noted that Nermeen had suffered severe trauma injury to the back of her head.

During the trial that took place over the past two weeks, the killer's three children testified against him at trial. In reaching its verdict, the jury rejected claims by Sam’s defense that he was insane or mentally ill when he committed the murder.

Sam faces 20 to 60 years in prison when he is sentenced by Circuit Judge Amy Bertani Tomczak.

“Bahaa Sam knew exactly what he was doing when he beat his wife to death on a cold winter day six years ago,” said Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow reacting to the verdict. “Thanks to a first-rate investigation by Tinley Park police and skilled trial work by my prosecutors, Steve Platek and Tom Slazyk, the jury saw through this cynical attempt by the defendant to deny responsibility for this brutal attack against his defenseless wife.”

The killer's lawyers, Chuck Bretz and Neil Patel, argued during the jury trial that Sam was legally insane at the time he committed the killing. The jury, however, rejected Sam's defense, instead finding him accountable for his actions.

The jury spent less than three hours deliberating Sam's guilt. The case went to the jury around 2 p.m.

Mugshot of Bahaa Sam via Will County Sheriff