The Haifa District Court on Sunday morning 25 Shevat 5774 convicted Beit Shemesh resident Yitzchak Hazan in the murder of Benny Hasa, the director of the Haifa Chevra Kadisha. He waited outside the victim’s home three years ago and when he saw him fired a gun five times from close range. The court ruled the defendant lied repeatedly in his testimony and the conviction is handed down after there is no longer a reasonable doubt that he did not commit the murder. The court pointed out that the defendant lied so often during the trial his attorney simply did not know how to present the case.

Police uncovered the gun in a wall in a mikve and testing revealed the defendant’s DNA on the weapon. It was established that was the gun used in the murder. This was coupled with cellular telephone conversations to tie the defendant to the murder. Justice Moshe Gilad admits the motive for the murder was not revealed during the trial and the court is not ruling out he was simply paid for his services, to take the life of another R”L but did say it does appear the murder was related to a land dispute as was first reported.

The indictment says that Hazan waited for the victim outside his home and when he saw Hasa and his wife get out of their car, he fired at the victim at close range. Hasa was hit with four bullets. Police in May 2012 announced they found the man they believed responsible for the murder, Hazan.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)