A 17-year-old from Iowa has been sentenced to serve up to 10 years in prison for killing his 19-year-old brother during an argument at their family home.
The Sentencing
Polk County District Judge Joseph Seidlin sentenced Mohamed Mutaz Elzubeir on Wednesday for the June 2024 killing of his brother, Abdelmagid “Majet” Elzubeir. The teen pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter as part of a deal with prosecutors, avoiding a possible first-degree murder conviction.
The Deadly Incident
The stabbing happened on June 11, 2024, at the family’s home on Oakridge Drive in Des Moines. Police said officers responded to reports of a stabbing and found Abdelmagid suffering from a neck wound. He was rushed to UnityPoint Methodist Medical Center but died from his injuries.
What Led to the Attack
Mohamed, who was 16 at the time, told authorities he was tired of being “picked on” and bullied by his older brother. On the day of the killing, he said the victim had been yelling at him and had pushed him. Mohamed then grabbed a kitchen knife and stabbed his brother in the neck.
Judge’s Reasoning
While Mohamed was legally eligible for lighter sentences such as probation or deferred judgment, the court sided with recommendations from both prosecutors and defense lawyers that prison time was necessary. Judge Seidlin said Mohamed had a “long, troubled history of managing his behaviors,” which worsened after he suffered a traumatic brain injury in a 2021 car crash.
The judge noted that Mohamed seemed to do better in a structured environment and that prison would protect the public while giving him the chance for rehabilitation.
Defendant’s Words in Court
During the hearing, Mohamed admitted responsibility, telling the court several times, “I was guilty” and “I had blood on my hands.” He also described the moment of the attack, saying, “I stabbed my brother in the neck with a kitchen knife.”
This case highlights the tragic consequences of unresolved family conflict, compounded by long-term behavioral and health struggles.
