A grand jury will determine if there is sufficient evidence to charge a man with the murder of a UAE student in the United States this year.
Neil Kumar, 30, was shot in a petrol station robbery in Pike County, Alabama, in July.
The son of an Indian family from Sharjah, Mr Kumar was studying for a master's degree in computer science and working part-time at the garage.
The attack took place as he opened the garage in the city of Brundidge at about 6am.
Leon Terrell Flowers, 23, was charged with capital murder and robbery.
Following a preliminary hearing, Pike County Judge Steven Curtis said there was sufficient evidence against Mr Flowers to send the case to a grand jury.
Brundidge police chief Moses Davenport said a video recording showed Mr Flowers entering the garage at about 6am and demanding money.
Mr Davenport said Mr Flowers went behind the counter where he shot Mr Kumar at close range before leaving with an undetermined amount of cash.
The police chief said that an anonymous 911 call was made at 7am.
Flowers has four previous convictions, Pike County district attorney Thomas Anderson said.
He was previously arrested and charged with felony murder in an unrelated case, which was subsequently reduced to manslaughter.
Mr Flowers was released on probation on April 30, after being given credit for time served while awaiting trial.
In that case, the father of the victim had asked for leniency.
Mr Kumar’s parents, Kumar Purushu and his wife Seema, originally from India, have lived in Sharjah for most of their lives.
Their three children, including the victim, went to school in Dubai. Kumar's two sisters have both settled in America since then.
Mr Kumar was enrolled at Troy University, where friends and staff said they were saddened and shocked by his death.
Following his death, his family paid tribute to a beloved son and brother.
“You are loved and missed by so many because of your kind, witty, charming and selfless nature,” the family said.
“Your loss is unbearable and you have left a hole in our hearts that can never be filled. We will miss you for ever beloved son and dearest little brother.”
The date of the next hearing has yet to be disclosed.
The story in numbers
18
This is how many recognised sects Lebanon is home to, along with about four million citizens
450,000
More than this many Palestinian refugees are registered with UNRWA in Lebanon, with about 45 per cent of them living in the country’s 12 refugee camps
1.5 million
There are just under 1 million Syrian refugees registered with the UN, although the government puts the figure upwards of 1.5m
73
The percentage of stateless people in Lebanon, who are not of Palestinian origin, born to a Lebanese mother, according to a 2012-2013 study by human rights organisation Frontiers Ruwad Association
18,000
The number of marriages recorded between Lebanese women and foreigners between the years 1995 and 2008, according to a 2009 study backed by the UN Development Programme
77,400
The number of people believed to be affected by the current nationality law, according to the 2009 UN study
4,926
This is how many Lebanese-Palestinian households there were in Lebanon in 2016, according to a census by the Lebanese-Palestinian dialogue committee
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Results
5pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m; Winner: Faiza, Sandro Paiva (jockey), Ali Rashid Al Raihe (trainer).
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6pm: Emirates Fillies Classic Prestige (PA) Dh100,000 1,600m; Winner: Marzaga, Jim Crowley, Ana Mendez.
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7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m; Winner: AF Ashras, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel.
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The biog
Age: 59
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Family: A daughter, two sons and wife
Favourite tree: Ghaf
Runner up favourite tree: Frankincense
Favourite place on Sir Bani Yas Island: “I love all of Sir Bani Yas. Every spot of Sir Bani Yas, I love it.”
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How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
