Early this morning the New York State University Police, at Binghamton University arrested and charged Abdulsalam S. Al-Zahrani, age 46, with the crime of Murder in the Second Degree, alleging that the defendant intentionally caused the death of Professor Emeritus Richard T. Antoun, Department of Anthropology, by stabbing him to death in Science I building of Binghamton University on the afternoon of December 4, 2009.
The defendant is a Saudi national who is a graduate student in Anthropology at Binghamton University.
The defendant and Professor Antoun knew each other through the defendant’s work in the graduate program.
The defendant was arraigned before Town Justice Joseph Meagher in the Town Court of the Town of Vestal and was remanded to the Broome County Correctional Facility without bail.
No further arrests are expected.
There is no indication of religious or ethnic motivation.
The accusatory instrument is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until he is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The New York State University Police at Binghamton University were assisted in this investigation by the following agencies: New York State Police, Vestal Police, Binghamton Police, Johnson City Police, Federal Bureau of Investigation and Broome County District Attorney’s Office. The investigation is ongoing. It is requested that any person who might have information related to this crime, or who has had recent contact with the suspect or the victim, please contact the New York State University Police at Binghamton University either through telephone number 777-INFO (4636) or e-mail at policeinfo@binghamton.edu.
Twitter
Facebook