http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/272149p-232993c.html
Eye robbery in slays
N.J. family's home was looted - DA
BY NANCY DILLON and ADAM LISBERG
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITERS
Newly revealed evidence suggests the family slaughtered in their Jersey City home were victims of a robbery - though cops have not ruled out a more personal motive.
Hossam Armanious, 47; his wife, Amal Garas, 37, and daughters Sylvia, 15, and Monica, 8, were bound, gagged and stabbed in the throat last week. Cops found them Friday after worried relatives hadn't seen them for days.
While the Egyptian Coptic Christian family was clearly robbed, police have not ruled out other possible motives. Friends of the family suspect the family may have been targeted for religious reasons.
And Channel 7 reported last night that a relative of the family had helped prosecutors in the case against Lynne Stewart, the lawyer charged with passing messages to followers of one of her clients, convicted terror kingpin Sheik Omar Abdel-Rahman.
Prosecutors said yesterday the killer or killers appeared to have taken all the money from the house, except for a single penny found on the floor.
"The father's wallet had been emptied, and his pockets had been turned out," said First Assistant Hudson County Prosecutor Guy Gregory. "Even the daughter's pocketbook was turned out."
Some in the community believe the family was targeted because Armanious, a headwaiter at a New Jersey hotel, was active on a Web site where Copts and Muslims trade angry religious arguments.
"They're trying to make us afraid, make us keep our mouths shut," said Nadia Sourial, 55, a parishioner at St. George & St. Shenouda Coptic Orthodox Church.
Coptic community leaders announced a $100,000 reward for information leading to convictions in the murders. But church leaders and the victims' relatives tried to stop accusations yesterday during services.
"It's not time to make any speculations," said Bishop David, 37, a Coptic leader. "This is the time for the police."
The victims had crosses tattooed on their right wrists. But authorities said a cut near Sylvia's tattoo appeared to be a defensive wound, not a deliberate attack on the cross.
"I'm going through hell," said Garas' brother Ayman Garas, 35. "They were very peaceful. They had no enemies, were not involved with any problems."
Hundreds of people filled the church to hear the services in English and Arabic before 100 or so walked to the family's home on Oakland Ave. to pay respects to the slain.
"We do not have the proof, but the crime was committed in a certain way, the way Muslim fanatics kill people," said Monir Dawoud, spokesman for the American Coptic Association, who made a fiery speech during the memorial.
But some local Muslim leaders said Egyptian Christians and Muslims get along reasonably well in Jersey City. The leaders said they planned to attend the family's funeral today.
"I don't think this is religious at all," said Osama Hassan, director of the Islamic Center of Jersey City. "Maybe a few young Christian kids might have the wrong idea, but I think their leaders will set them straight."
Originally published on January 17, 2005
|