Husband of a former Miss Dominica sentenced to life in prison

Ghonim received a life sentence for murder. Photo: Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times

Former Antiguan businessman and husband of a former Miss Dominica, Morrad Ghonim, has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for murdering his first wife, Vicki Ghonim.

Ghonim was sentenced in California on Monday, December 19.

During the hearing, Vicki’s sister, Martha Guzman described Ghonim as a coward and a monster.

“Morrad, you’re a coward and a monster,” she said to him. “You deliberately put your son in danger … to make your story more believable.”

Ghonim was charged with the 1992 murder of his first wife in the Los Angeles area.

Reports are that his wife, Vicki Ghonim, who was 17 at that time and the mother of a six-month-old boy, who was in his car seat behind her when a gunman shot her in a parking lot at Creek Park in La Mirada. According to prosecutors, the man who shot her was hired by her husband, who paid to make it looked like a robbery gone awry.

Ghonim and the gunman, Leon Martinez were both arrested in 2010, but the case against Ghonim was dropped because of a lack of evidence at that time. The case subsequently went cold for almost two decades.

But DNA tests on clothing recovered from the scene found a genetic match to Martinez who was serving time for burglary.

In 2012 Martinez confessed that Ghonim was involved in the matter and prosecutors say the Ghonims were having marital problems at the time, and Morrad paid Martinez $500 to stage a robbery and kill Vicki.

By that time Ghonim had moved to Antigua where he operated a beauty store. However, he was deported to the US in 2015, two months after a jury in the US convicted Martinez as being the hit man in the murder.

Ghonim, born in Jordan, tied the knot with Miss Dominica 2012, Nadira Lando, his third wife in 2014.

CLICK HERE TO READ FULL DETAILS OF THE SENTENCING

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36 Comments

  1. The Truth Be Told
    December 21, 2016

    I am wondering if he could appeal?

  2. οἰκονομία
    December 21, 2016

    To much Dominicans migrating under skerrit.

  3. Tony
    December 21, 2016

    Hello and good afternoon my people. Well we have so many young,handsome and well educated men in Dominica but she choose to marry a man that was twice divorced and a murderer. He got just what he deserved and my sympathy is with the victim and may she rest in peace. Ms Lando go and start a new life and apologize to your family for the mistake you made.

    • The Truth Be Told
      December 23, 2016

      Tony, be compassionate. You have no idea if he confided in her about his past life. I wonder if he did. For one, you can bet he did not inform her of planning his first wife’s death and paying someone to murder her.

    • Me
      February 8, 2020

      She lucky because she would have been next

  4. Patriotic B
    December 21, 2016

    OK this is about Morrad Ghonim. He was able to evade the police and lived a life in Antigua. If you want to contribute to this platform focus your views on him, what he did, the legal system in America, his ability to evade US legal system etc.

    • The Truth Be Told
      December 21, 2016

      You are informing us and dictating to us that we should lambaste him? Do you not think we have done enough of that? What good would it do at this time? He is punished for his crime.

  5. Nice
    December 21, 2016

    I do not understand this! “Husband of a former Ms. Dominica….. ” then at the end her name is mentioned. So what is this story really about? The convicted murderer or his 3rd wife? I hate the way DNO wrote this. It is distasteful. I do not know the young lady, never met her but I wish her God’s blessings in this sad situation.

  6. Reasoning
    December 20, 2016

    Did she try finding out how many times this criminal was married? Why would a little black girl from Dominica find herself with such a man of different culture?

    • The Truth Be Told
      December 23, 2016

      You call her black? She is a Carib/Kalinago. Did you not see her picture when she became Miss Dominica and when they got married?

  7. Truth Be Told
    December 20, 2016

    Visualize how heart-broken Nadira is. What could we say to cheer her except to pray and keep praying for God’s consolation and peace of heart and mind.
    Nadira, time heals the pain. You must have support from relatives and genuine friends and are receiving excellent, comforting advice.
    Be strong. Know that God who knows, sees and hears everything is with you. He will support and carry you.
    Keep in mind the words of a religious hymn among other religious songs.
    Our Lord Jesus Christ said:
    I will never forget you My People.
    I have carved you in the palm of My hands.
    I will never forget you.
    I will not leave you orphaned.
    I will never forget My own.

    Keep up your spirit. Do what you think is best for you and your future. You know God will always be with you. May He bless you and strengthen you.
    You are a fellow Dominican. The more I wish you well. My best wishes to you.

  8. I am Domnican....are YOU????
    December 20, 2016

    Everyone is upset that we mention Nadira when we hear this story. How exactly is this man relevant to any of us in Dominica? Through Ms. Lando… so to those of you who are her friends….stop making it a big deal… We will mention her name because he is only relevant because our very own Ms. Dominica is married to him. Good luck next time around Ms. Lando!!

    • The Truth Be Told
      December 21, 2016

      We must always place ourselves in the situation of others, to also help them through their disappointment, obstacles and struggles.
      Under the circumstances Nadira should be our concern, for her well-being. She needs all the consideration we can give her. Most of all, God expects it of us. She may not be aware of it but know that as we wish her well, God gives her the strength to cope.
      Consider what she went through when the US authorities pounced on their home and arrested him and her feelings in the ensuing months. She is definitely to be consoled. It is a Christian act. My heart goes out to her. Those who have compassion will act accordingly.
      She could be saying, what will D/cans say. You know how people in her position could feel. Let her know our thoughts, prayers and support are with her.
      Dominica is her country, her home and she is welcomed at any time. Therefore, should she decide to return, she must be welcomed and made to feel at home.

  9. freegid tree
    December 20, 2016

    Some prison guards are sure to get rich.

  10. Thomian
    December 20, 2016

    God saved her from this wicked monster…..hope she is grateful….

    • The Truth Be Told
      December 23, 2016

      This could be so but he is her husband. It will not prevent her from hurting. She may very well be in love with him. Consider the shock and pain when she learned of the murder of his first wife and when he was arrested. It must have been devastating for her. Now he is sentenced for life without a chance of parole. This is obviously sad for her.

      • Me
        February 8, 2020

        Really in love with him or the easy money lol she could not love a Syrian impossible

  11. Ruby
    December 20, 2016

    DNO please disable comments for this story.

    • Tony
      December 21, 2016

      To: Rudy

      Hello and good afternoon my people . Sorry but we are a Democratic country and we have Freedom of the Press. This story is relevant because this murderer is married to our citizen, Ms Dominica, Nadira Lando. Not everything in life is pleasant.

    • The Truth Be Told
      December 23, 2016

      Who are you? Is it bothering you? Face reality. It is news.

  12. The Gov't: One Man
    December 20, 2016

    There is a lesson to learn and we should not forget it. Girls and Guys too are very careless sometimes in their relationships, especially in the choosing and deciding stage. The one who blings most of the time is the one who we are attracted too. The simple guys/girls are normally the ones with love true love.

    • The Truth Be Told
      December 20, 2016

      There are many people who thought they married their true love who, today, some are separated/divorced and some murdered. Who can know if it is really true love?
      You know the saying, “True love never dies.” Many who thought they had it, it soon died. Who knows?
      If those marriages were genuinely Christo-centered, they would last until one spouse died. Much more could be stated about that.
      You should know: “What God has joined together, let no man put asunder.” Many marriages were not approved by God. Many did not marry in a consecrated church to God. You should know the rest.why most marriages do not last.

  13. stupid troll
    December 20, 2016

    if it was in Dominica court you will see how little time in prison he would of get :lol: :twisted:

    • The Truth Be Told
      December 20, 2016

      “he would ‘of’ get?” Where did you learn this type of English?

  14. pampergirl
    December 20, 2016

    this crime committed was not by miss nadira. why is this appearing to be so biased? the young lady is not the one to be blamed so stop using her name. not her fault!

  15. Fitzgerald Charles
    December 20, 2016

    This is the difference between the justice system in the US and Dominica. People who commit crimes actually get the full extent of the law

    • God Save Our Children
      December 20, 2016

      So I guess the US justice system is perfect?? lol…….. The justice serves the rich and famous and as long they have the support of the system on their side they are good to go!! So not lets make that a Dominica or US or Nadira issue… It is sad that every time this man make the news the Reporter kept on bringing back Ms Dominica. She is a young lady and all she do is fall in love whether is for the true Love or Glamour so please give her a chance to breath as you can only destroy her life.

      • freegid tree
        December 21, 2016

        “Miss Dominica” was too Miss Dominica for Dominican men. So yes, keep the repetition going. She is “Miss Dominica.”

    • The Truth Be Told
      December 20, 2016

      The problem with Dominica, it is a small country. Most people know each other.
      Remember, it is written in the Constitution or in the Law as attorneys have stated during the hearings, “It is their first offense and they did not waste the Court’s time.” I find this stupid. A crime is a crime. They committed the crime. The trial must be heard with no such hindrance as previously mentioned. They must pay the price for their crime without reducing it.
      The pain and suffering of the victims and if they are alive, must also be considered.

  16. DA girl
    December 20, 2016

    Wow…smh. What does one say to this?

    • ez
      December 20, 2016

      simple….materialism isnt all…”what does it gain a man/woman to gain the whole world and loose his/her soul!

  17. Truth be Told
    December 20, 2016

    Okay my fellow Dominicans. In the spirit of Christmas let us now put this story to rest and pray and assist our sister to rebuild her life. Her only mistake in this matter is that she fell in love. How many time have you fallen in and out of love? I have too many times! In the words of Jesus Christ, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her” (John 8:7, The Holy Bible). She fell in love and got married, it was the right thing to do. May God continue to bless you Nadira Lando.

    • Dominican
      December 20, 2016

      Why are you making this about her AGAIN! Just read and move on, if you really want it to rest leave her alone. We can read choops.

      • Reading
        December 20, 2016

        Best comment ever!!!!!

    • Truth Be Told
      December 20, 2016

      Jesus Christ would like you to use another name and cease impersonating others. Be yourself. Cease being a copy cat. Get your own name. Do you not have the brains to think of a suitable name, one which suits you? You project you are not an intelligent person; can’t even think of a suitable name but using that of another. What are you trying to prove? :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

    • Truth Be Told
      December 23, 2016

      Not the real Truth be told. This is a copy cat.

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