Jury convicts man who set his wife on fire

After a two-day trial, State Attorney R J Larizza informed Historic City News that a Putnam County jury found 41 year-old Khalid Abeljawwad Mohd guilty, as charged, of attempted first degree murder with a weapon; a life felony; arson, a first degree felony; and aggravated battery causing serious bodily injury with a weapon, a first degree felony.

Rema Jamel. Mohd’s wife, had a dream to live in America with her husband and their children; but, today, she is lucky to be alive, prosecutor Jennifer Dunton said.

On March 27, 2010, Jamel asked Mohd to help her extend her passport. Mohd, who has another wife in Jordan, refused to help; and, he told Jamel that he intended to bring his second wife back to live in Palatka.

Mohd threatened Jamel if she tried to take her children back to Jordan from their residence located at 127 Crestwood Avenue in Palatka. He told her that he would “kill her and bury her in the backyard”, Assistant State Attorney Jason Lewis said. Later, Mohn threw lighter fluid on Jamel and set her on fire; leaving her with second and third-degree burns over 75% of her body.

“Mohd carried out these crimes against his wife with chilling brutality,” Larizza told reporters. “Because of the testimony of the victim and her son, Mohd’s vicious and senseless rage will not go unpunished.”

Today, the jury returned a verdict after deliberating for approximately one hour; giving justice to a woman who survived what prosecutors in this case say was the unthinkable.

Mohd is scheduled to be sentenced by Circuit Judge Patti A. Christensen on August 8, where he faces a maximum punishment of life in prison.