Shai Dromi in court
Photo: Peleg Havatzelet
Shai Dromi gets 6 months community service
Farmer acquitted of death of Bedouin who broke into his farm gets deal for weapons charges conviction
A Negev farmer acquitted of manslaughter charges for the death of a Bedouin who broke into his farm two years ago has been handed a plea bargain by which he will serve six months of community service for illegally carrying a weapon.
According to the deal Shai Dromi's six-month sentence will also be reduced by 30 days, which he has already served in detention.
Acquital
Ilana Curiel
Beersheba court finds Shai Dromi not guilty of killing Bedouin who broke into his farm two years ago; convicts him of weapon charges. 'Dromi felt his life was in danger which led him to fire the shots,' says ruling. MK Tibi: Life of Arab worthless in eyes of law
At a court hearing on Dromi's case Sunday, prosecutor Alon Altman said the special circumstances of the case justify the withholding of a prison sentence.
"The special circumstances of this case and the manner in which the weapon reached the hands of the defendant lead to our belief that the proper balance rests in the punishment we petitioned for, and I ask the court to approve our request," he said.
The court is scheduled to announce its decision on the approval of the deal later this month.
After the hearing Dromi told Ynet he had agreed to the plea bargain despite the conviction it entails. "The conviction could make my life harder in the future, but I take responsibility for behaving improperly," he said, explaining that the authorities do not defend the southern farms, leaving matters to the farm-owners.
Two months ago Dromi was found innocent of the death of Khaled al-Atrash, who broke into his farm. Judges stated that he had felt his life was in danger, and therefore fired at the deceased. However he was convicted of weapons charges.
Knesset Member Talab El-Sana (United Arab List-Ta'al) slammed the State's willingness to plead out the case: "This is justice Israel style. Dromi war ordered five-months community service for illegally carrying arms, but he will not serve one single day for killing a young man with it.
"And what kind of community service will he get? Explaining how to shot an Arab citizen. The indifference to of Arab citizens' lives cries out to the heavens, and justice is buried with the dead."
