DAMMAM, 17 February — Saudi national Naif Ishmael Al-Yousef made his third appearance in a Denver County courtroom yesterday. At the hearing he was denied bail, but the name of a prominent local defense attorney, Gary Lozow, was entered as his representative in court records.
According to the Denver District Attorney's Office, Lozow was hired privately to handle the case.
Al-Yousef will return to court again on March 27 for the preliminary hearing. At that time the Denver police will present evidence that they believe supports the charges against Al-Yousef of first degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder in the death of Abdulaziz Al-Koohaji.
If the judge decides that there is enough evidence to move forward, the case will be assigned to the Denver District Court and Al-Yousef will plead guilty or not guilty to the charges.
If the evidence is deemed insufficient, Al-Yousef could be released. According to the Denver police, such a situation is not anticipated.
With bail denied, Al-Yousef will continue spending his days confined in the general prison population at the Denver County Jail. According to the prison's administration he does have access to an Imam at congregational prayers which are held for Muslims on Fridays and Saturdays.
He also may speak privately with this spiritual advisor by appointment. He has a copy of the Holy Qur'an in his cell and he is able to have contact with a local member of the Saudi Arabian community if he wishes. The prison administration stated that Al-Yousef would normally be allowed only two visits per week.
However, as his father has flown in from the Kingdom and is in Denver for only a short time, the authorities are allowing four visits per week due to the special circumstances.
