Nabra Hassanen's Accused Killer Could Get Death Penalty: Report

RESTON, VA — If an autopsy report currently underway on the body of 17-year-old Nabra Hassanen shows that she was sexually assaulted before her murder on Sunday, her accused killer could get the death penalty, according to a report.

The murder of Hassanen, a Muslim girl who was walking near her mosque with friends when she got into an argument with a man in the car, touched off nationwide fury over what appeared to be a hate crime. However, Fairfax County Police said that 22-year-old Darwin Martinez Torres killed her in a fit of road rage — not out of anti-Muslim hate — that developed as he confronted teens that were walking and biking in the road.

WUSA9 reports that if an autopsy shows that Hassanen was sexually assaulted, prosecutors could opt to add capital murder to the charges, which could include a death sentence if convicted.

Police believe Martinez Torres chased Hassanen's friends in his car and then assaulted Hassanen. He then allegedly pulled her into his car, took her away from the scene and assaulted her again before dumping her body in a pond in nearby Sterling.

But it's the possibility of a sexual assault before her fatal wounds that could change everything about the case.

"We have to await forensic examination results and the report from autopsy from the medical examiner to confirm whether or not that took place," Fairfax County Police Chief Ed Roessler said, according to WUSA9.

Martinez Torres has a court date set for July 19.

Vigils were held across the country to honor Hassanen's life, including one at Lake Anne Plaza in Reston that drew thousands of people.

Image via Fairfax County Police Department