Court Erupts in Shouts as Murder Suspects' Detention Extended

Jerusalem District Court extended the detention of Agam Tzorfati, Shilat Huta, and four minors accused of murdering Benayahu Raz in the Nachlaot neighborhood. The lawyer for Linor Sasson, accused of aiding after the fact, requested her release to house arrest, arguing she is not directly accused of murder. The prosecution opposed this due to Sasson's criminal record, and the judge is considering a probation service report before deciding.

Family members of the victim, Benayahu Raz, and his friend Matania, who was with him during the murder, attended the hearing. Tensions flared between the families, with Raz's mother confronting Shilat's mother and being met with threats of a lawsuit. The next hearing for Tzorfati and Huta is scheduled for October 19, when the court will rule on extending their detention until the end of proceedings. The minors' hearing was postponed by two months, and they will remain in custody.

Last month, prosecutors filed charges of intentional murder against Tzorfati, Huta, and the four minors. Sasson was charged with aiding after the fact and obstruction. Investigators believe Tzorfati and Huta, despite not physically participating in the attack, instigated and encouraged the murder. Evidence suggests Tzorfati rented the Airbnb where the incident occurred, and Huta paid for it. They also allegedly arranged transportation.

The indictment details a dispute between Tzorfati and Huta and Raz and Matania on Friday. The women claim Raz and Matania attacked them, with Tzorfati showing a mark on her neck she attributed to Raz. After Raz and Matania fell asleep, Tzorfati and Huta left the apartment and went to Sasson's home. There, they met the four minors, who, upon seeing the women's alleged injuries, decided to attack Raz, arming themselves with knives and other weapons.

The investigation was complex due to the number of suspects, many of whom are minors. Initial statements were brief and changed multiple times, often not aligning with collected evidence. Tzorfati and Huta provided more extensive statements, which investigators also found inconsistent with findings.