ALKHOBAR, 27 July — In a move that came as no surprise, Judge William Meyer denied accused Saudi kidnapper and murderer Naif Ishmael Al-Yousef’s defense motion for bond.
Then the arraignment proceeded in the Denver courtroom and Al-Yousef entered a plea of “not guilty” to all charges relating to the death in January of Saudi college student Abdulaziz Al-Koohaji. Due to the denial of bail, Al-Yousef will remain in the Denver County Jail during the trial process.
Both sides have 45 days in which to file motions with the court. According to Lynn Kimbrough, spokesperson for the Denver District Attorney’s Office, it is expected that the defense attorney, Gary Lozow, will file numerous motions such as a motion to suppress statements made by Al-Yousef when interviewed by police soon after his arrest in January. Those statements outlined the entire manner in which the crimes were committed and are considered to be extremely damaging to the defendant.
There will be a hearing in front of Judge Meyer on Oct. 26 at 1:30 p.m. for both sides to argue their motions. Depending on the complexity of the motions the judge might rule on them immediately or he could hear the arguments and make his ruling later.
The motions and the rulings will shape the evidence and testimony that will be allowed into the trial. The trial has been set to begin Dec. 10.
Al-Yousef, looking somber and subdued, was present in the courtroom for the arraignment. It was noted that some of his family members had come to the proceedings to lend their support.
His uncle and brother were recognized among the onlookers in the courtroom.
