Nazareth District Court sentenced Y., the ex-girlfriend of Adwan Yahiya Farhan who was charged with the murder of Dana Bennett and three others, to 14 years in prison after she was convicted in a plea bargain on two counts of aiding and abetting murder – once in the case of Dana Bennett, and once in the case of Czech tourist Silvia Molrova.
In addition, she was sentenced to 30 months on probation. Y., who was a minor when the murders took place, was initially charged with the murder of Bennet and aiding and abetting the murder of Molrova. However after a plea bargain wasreached, the charges against her were reduced and the prosecution asked she be handed a 14-year prison sentence.
Y. in court on Tuesday (Photo: Hagai Aharon)
In the verdict, judges Nehama Munitz, Shaher Atrash and Atef Ilabouni wrote: "Despite being a 15-year-old young woman, the defendant assisted Adwan in the execution of two atrocious murders. The defendant's actions enabled Adwan to commit the murders."
The judges ruled that Y. knew of Farhan's intention to murder the Czech tourist Silvia Molrova and of his plan to kill Dana Bennett – and even helped capture her.
Vicky Bennett: Will continue fight
At the beginning of the hearing, Bennett's cousin, Maayan Gil confronted Y., called her a murderer and said, "You should know that you will never forget what you have done for the rest of your life, just like we won't forget."
Bennett's mother, Vicky Bennett visited her daughter's grave Monday morning and promised her she would continue to fight. "I told her that, with God's help, it will be 14 years. This is very little for us, but I have no choice but to accept it," she said.
At the end of the hearing the mother said, "As far as we are concerned, she should have received a life sentence. She is a murderer – she could have prevented my daughter's death. She told the panel of judges that her conscience was bothering her, because she realized that once (Farhan) is out of prison – she is next."
Defense attorney Issam Tannous, who is representing Y. said in response to the verdict: "The court faced a difficult decision, because of the unprecedented nature of the case. I will study the verdict and consider the next step."
In a previous hearing, Y. addressed Bennett's mother and said, "I am very very sorry. It pains me that you lost your daughter. I am agonized by the thoughts and sights of death in front of my eyes."