Marvin found guilty of murdering wife Mary

The Criminal Court on Monday found Marvin S.Y. Vargas guilty of the murder of his wife, Mary Grace Oneda Pineda, a Philippine national who worked as a nurse at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH).

The court ruled that the prosecution had proven the charge of intentional murder beyond reasonable doubt.

Mary was found dead on 19 October 2021 at her residence in Maafannu Uduheykokage. Prosecutors alleged that Marvin, together with Haleemath Lamha Abdul Rahman, planned and carried out the killing.

Marvin was charged with intentional murder, while Lamha faces charges of accessory to intentional murder and unauthorised control over another person's property. Both defendants denied the allegations during the trial.

According to court proceedings, the prosecution presented 74 witnesses against Marvin, while the defence called five witnesses.

In delivering the verdict, the court said medical evidence and witness testimony established that Mary had been killed and did not die by suicide, as initially claimed by Marvin.

The court referred to the post-mortem examination, which found a fracture in Mary's neck. The forensic pathologist who conducted the autopsy testified that the injury was consistent with compression of the neck.

The court also noted injuries to Mary's forehead, face, head and ears, as well as scratch marks found on Marvin's body.

Based on the evidence presented, the court concluded that Mary's death resulted from Marvin's actions.

The judgment also referenced electronic communications between Marvin and Lamha. According to the court, the messages showed that the two were in a relationship and had discussed marriage while viewing Mary as an obstacle.

The court further noted that internet search records showed Marvin had searched for information relating to chokehold techniques. The court said the injuries identified during the post-mortem examination were consistent with resistance to suffocation.

Following the guilty verdict, the court moved to hear sentencing submissions. However, after a request from the defence for additional time, the judge postponed sentencing until 1 July.

The court is also continuing proceedings regarding the charges against Lamha.

According to the prosecution, Lamha assisted Marvin in carrying out the killing between 12:00 p.m. and 12:49 p.m. on 19 October 2021 and helped facilitate the circumstances in which the offence was committed.

If convicted on all charges, both defendants face prison sentences of at least 10 years.

Marvin, who recently converted to Islam, is now known as Yusuf.