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Eye robbery in slays - N.J. family's home was looted - DA
New York Daily News ^ | 1/17/05 | NANCY DILLON and ADAM LISBERG

Posted on 01/17/2005 1:50:05 AM PST by kattracks

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



TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Extended News; News/Current Events
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"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."

Of course Muslim kids would never have the "wrong idea". And if they did, would their leaders set them straight?

1 posted on 01/17/2005 1:50:07 AM PST by kattracks
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To: kattracks

Mr. Hassan would be better served by offering to help the police in any way he can. I know that's not in the CAIR handbook, but it would serve his congrgation, in the long run.


2 posted on 01/17/2005 1:52:37 AM PST by A Balrog of Morgoth (With fire, sword, and stinging whip I drive the Rats in terror before me.)
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To: kattracks; All
Crosslinked:

 FAMILY OF 4 SLAUGHTERED-'ISLAMIC HATE' EYED IN SLAYS

3 posted on 01/17/2005 1:56:00 AM PST by backhoe (-30-)
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To: kattracks

Another article gave more detail and made it sound more like a hate crime than a robery. Makes this article seem like the typical liberal media down play of anything that might make Christians look persecuted.

http://rightwingerz.com/index.php?p=746


4 posted on 01/17/2005 1:58:20 AM PST by Giliad (The moderates in the "Religion of Peace" are the extremists)
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To: kattracks
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.

It doesn't sound like they're welcome.

5 posted on 01/17/2005 2:26:16 AM PST by BykrBayb (5 minutes of prayer for Terri, every day at 11 am EDT, until she's safe. http://www.terrisfight.org)
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To: kattracks

BALONEY!!!!

This is TYPICAL of Muslims when caught in the act.

They prevaricate, bend the truth, qualify, etc.

Any thought that this was just another robbery is lunacy.

The liberal moral eunuchs who run the state oif New Jersey are in panic mode over this incident. Expect more drivel from them on this subject.

BU THE COPTS KNOW. Thye have faced this kiind of butchery in Egypt for centuries.


6 posted on 01/17/2005 3:04:45 AM PST by ZULU (Fear the government which fears your guns. God, guts, and guns made America great.)
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To: BykrBayb

Are they bringing knives????


7 posted on 01/17/2005 3:05:25 AM PST by ZULU (Fear the government which fears your guns. God, guts, and guns made America great.)
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To: ZULU
Robbers who stabbed them multiple times and took the time to tie them up and gag them beforehand. Right.

Some people don't want to see what is coming to their own front doors.

stay quiet

8 posted on 01/17/2005 3:15:50 AM PST by MarMema
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To: ZULU
BU THE COPTS KNOW. Thye have faced this kiind of butchery in Egypt for centuries.

Yes, this is the exact methodology employed by Muslim terrorists in certain North African countries. Villagers wake up one morning to find that all of the occupants of one or two or twenty houses have had their throats cut during the night. Sometimes the entire village is rubbed out this way. Now it has come to USA.

9 posted on 01/17/2005 3:16:32 AM PST by jimtorr
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To: jimtorr; ZULU
Now it has come to USA.

Significant words. I searched but could find nothing to indicate this is not a watershed event. A first attack on a family for defaming islam in a public forum. Following on the heels of the Dutch film maker, I think the odds have been stepped up. And what was that other thread awhile back, about them going on a killing rampage over a film being made in their area with muslim women who did not have their heads covered? India?

These are personal killings and very different from acts of terrorism. These are acts of intimidation for behavior which offends islam.

10 posted on 01/17/2005 3:20:39 AM PST by MarMema
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To: kattracks

Wow, the cops are being politically correct and can't see beyond the noses on their faces.

Is it possible the home was looted to mask the fact that this was a hate crime.

Oh, I forget, hate crimes are reserved for homosexuals.


11 posted on 01/17/2005 3:21:55 AM PST by Beckwith (John, you said I was going to be the First Lady. As of now, you're on the couch.)
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To: kattracks
On Fox over the weekend I heard that this did NOT appear to be a robbery, because there was lots of jewelry and none was taken, and that no money was taken, either.

So, which outlet is telling the truth?

12 posted on 01/17/2005 3:30:22 AM PST by Miss Marple
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To: MarMema

Like robbers are going to risk the investigation and penalty of a gruesome quadruple homicide over the contents of a wallet and purse.


13 posted on 01/17/2005 3:56:25 AM PST by Welsh Rabbit
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To: Welsh Rabbit

It's quite possible that the killers went through the victims' wallets and purses after the killings, looking for addresses or any other information - and just took the money while they were at it.

I agree with you that it's highly unlikely that they would do this type of slaughter for the contents of somebody's handbag.


14 posted on 01/17/2005 4:01:11 AM PST by livius
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To: Beckwith

It probably isn't the cops on the line - its the political prostitutes who run the police departments - you know - the police chiefs, etc. the same kind of people who disagree with their own men on the line about the right of citizens to keep and bear arms.

They will suck up to the gutless capon prostiticians to whom they owe their jobs, and the prostiticians aren't interested in serving the American public - they are only concerned with serving themselves. The majority of prostiticians these days are attorneys and that speaks volumes.

There is no doubt this is a violent, vicious hate crime perpetrated by Islamic fanatics (sort of redundant - no?) against Christians - right here in America!!!

100 years ago - no 50 years ago - this never would have been tolerated.


15 posted on 01/17/2005 4:02:44 AM PST by ZULU (Fear the government which fears your guns. God, guts, and guns made America great.)
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To: ZULU
"The liberal moral eunuchs who run the state oif New Jersey are in panic mode over this incident."

Liberal and 'moral' cannot both be used to describe this class of eunuchs!

Liberal eunuch(s). . .works. . .

That said. . .you can bet the Lib establishment et al will go into denial re the grim realities of this gruesome and tragic event.

(Chirac's response to the beheading of a psychiatric nurse and slashing of another. . .was to assure the population that the cutbacks of hospital monies would be reviewed so as to not jeopardize hospital security.)

More important; or so it seems, to me; even at this date. . .is what was not said to reassure the community.

Time and a dollar. . .to see whether this story goes the same. . . .

16 posted on 01/17/2005 4:02:51 AM PST by cricket (Just say - NO U.N.)
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To: kattracks
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.
17 posted on 01/17/2005 4:06:26 AM PST by mewzilla (Has CBS retracted the story yet?)
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To: ZULU
Taqiyya and kitman: The role of Deception in Islamic terrorism

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1320513/posts

18 posted on 01/17/2005 4:24:59 AM PST by ViLaLuz
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To: hoosiermama

I thought you might be interested in this. Thanks for the ping on the other thread.


19 posted on 01/17/2005 4:34:28 AM PST by Bahbah
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To: kattracks; sure_fine

I smell a major cover-up happening now in Joisey City. The news reports on Sunday said nothing was stolen, nothing was amiss. How'd this happen overnight? Pols order the police to do it?

Sniff, sniff...


20 posted on 01/17/2005 4:54:35 AM PST by 7.62 x 51mm (• veni • vidi • vino • visa • "I came, I saw, I drank wine, I shopped")
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