The man suspected of killing Nabra Hassanen, a 17-year-old Muslim girl of Virginia, faces capital murder and rape charges, according to an indictment released on Monday, USA Today reported.
Hassanen was killed while walking to a mosque in Fairfax County earlier this year.
The suspect in her murder, Darwin Martinez Torres, also stands accused of raping and sexually assaulting Hassanen with an object, USA Today reported.
“It is my intention to seek the death penalty,” said Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Raymond F. Morrogh, according to The Washington Post.
This is the first time that authorities gave any indication that Hassanen may have been sexually assaulted in the attack.
Up to this point, the case has been centered around discussions on whether the accused should be charged for committing a hate crime or whether he acted in a moment of road rage.
Very little has been said about sexual assault.
Hassanen was reported missing after she and a group of friends had visited a restaurant in Sterling in June, The Washington Post reported. A motorist allegedly confronted them and an altercation ensued. The rest of the group fled for safety at a local mosque, but Hassanen got left behind.
Hassanen’s body was found in a pond, and Torres was arrested as a suspect, the Post reported.
Torres faces accusations of abducting Hassanen with intent to defile and object sexual penetration.
According to USA Today, a court hearing is scheduled for Thursday to set a trial date.
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