Antiguan businessman and husband of a former Miss Dominica, Morrad Ghonim, could face the death penalty in the United States if he is convicted of murdering his first wife, according to reports.
Reports are that US prosecutors say they may seek the death penalty in the matter.
Ghonim has been charged with the 1992 murder of his first wife in the Los Angeles area.
He appeared in court last Friday and pleaded not guilty.
He is being held without bail.
Ghonim was deported from Antigua recently, where he operated a beauty store, two months after a jury in the US convicted 42-year-old Leon Martinez as being the hit man in the murder.
He was reportedly paid $500 to commit the crime.
It is alleged that Ghonim was the one who hatched the plan to kill his wife, Vicki Ghonim.
Ghonim and Martinez were both arrested in 2010, but the case against Ghonim was dropped because of a lack of evidence at that time.
It is reported that three months later, Ghonim left the US to live in Antigua.
The criminal case against Martinez proceeded, and in 2012 he reportedly confessed that Ghonim was involved in the matter.
Prosecutors say the Ghonims were having marital problems at the time, and Morrad paid Martinez $500 to stage a robbery and kill Vicki.
Ghonim, born in Jordan, tied the knot with Miss Dominica 2012, Nadira Lando, in 2014.
Morrad is now on trial in Los Angeles. http://www.whittierdailynews.com/general-news/20160128/1992-la-mirada-alleged-murder-for-hire-plot-recounted-in-shooters-testimony
My heart goes out to Nadira and the family . The criminal isn’t Nadira , but the husband who was charged with the offence and awaiting judgment . I know it’s heart breaking and anyone of us would be devastated by this revelation . Pray for comfort for her and her entire family in this time . On the other hand justice has to prevail and all we can do is allow the law to do what has too , which would acquit the man if he’s found innocent , or face full blunt if found guilty . Until then , enough for the wounded lioness , she’s had enough to deal with already .
Pleading on behalf of a citizen and native of our pride .
Whatever sentence Mr. Ghonim MAY face IF convicted is irrelevant to the fact that he has not yet been convicted of any crime. Mrs. Ghonim (Lando) continues to love and support her dear husband during this most unfortunate ordeal. She also continues to ignore the critics who choose to blame her for falling in love and marrying a man who was very good to her and supported her 100%. Mrs. Ghonim is aware that small-minded people and people who lack ambition are usually very jealous of those with wealth and power. These sad and sick individuals always pray for the downfall of others. However, Mrs. Ghonim wishes to inform the public that she is quite fine, still beautiful, very confident and YES, YES, YES, still VERY WEALTHY! Thank you.
“Labour of Love” stop that wealth story. Help the young lady please, prayer for her and stop glouting on that wealth issue. Stupes. You not helping the young lady, that is a serious matter.
Everything you said makes sense. but why do we have to keep talking about “wealth” this and “wealth” that. Money is what drove him (if he did it) to kill his wife anyway. So…why…
Thou protest too loudly! We are not stupid so its better if you keep quiet lest you embarrass your stage name
This post from ‘labour of love’ makes me sick. Here is the proof that Dominicans behave like the most classless backward, morally bankrupt people in the world. How dare you talk about money, wealth and jealousy? Are you forgetting a mother lost her daughter, a child lost her mother and a young woman was shot in cold blood allegedly for this blood money! I peronally would never support a man who was accused of murder especially when all evidence is pointing to the fact that he was behind it. Let’s not forget that it was allegedly reported somewhere that he was driving with the dead wife. How anyone can show any support to these horrific chain of events defies belief.
Why is labour of love digging a pit for Nadira?
You forgot to mention that ill-gotten gain is not wealth it is a fascad for criminals. No one wants to bring down people who genuinely work hard and can substantiate their fortune.
I am routing for Nadira and she deserve to be happy. She did not commit any crime by marrying the guy. Whether or not Nadira has to use whatever resources she and her husband have to defend him in the court of law I say more power to her. if she wants to take the money and run that is left to her conscience. But if she does not do the right thing Karma comes quickly. Only Nadira knows what the right thing is. No body else does
THE LAST LINE IS UTTER RUBBISH. If you are indeed speaking on behalf of Naidra please don’t cause further embarrassment. This is a serious matter and has nothing to do with wealth. It could happen to anyone of us. Nadira we are behind you 100%, continue to be strong and have faith in the Lord as you go through this ordeal.
I am not happy at other people’s demise, but some people are “too up”, that is why we should be humble, and not act like we better than others, because what goes up, must come down, let it be a lesson, no matter who we are, we are humans, and can fall from grace anytime, it is a lesson for all, we must NOTact like we better than people. And do not forget that we all have to die some day.
It could happen to anyone. Man or woman . Thank God they caught him cause no one knows what he was going to do next Nadira God is in control
There’s no death penalty in the U.S
I have not a clue as to why they still keep using these two words..
Ridiculous…
There is the death penalty in the US. The Boston bomber was sentenced to death recently. Florida also has the death penalty. But what has Florida got to do with this case
http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/15/us/boston-bombing-tsarnaev-sentence/
Chris chris,chris1! are you nuts? Where do u live, read ,watch Tv speak to peeps? Aren’t you aware of the number of prisoners who died after the injectables went burst? hahahahahahahahahahahah
Oh boy, can someone please get Chris Mann his meds? Well, nevermind, there’s no cure for stupid!
Its better to be thought of as a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt
Do you really think the prosecutors will seek the death penalty without death penalty laws? We need to be well read instead of waiting for news to post and rush to comment. Did you even think of doing some research before your posted this comment? Don’t embarrass yourself please.
What I do understand with some people is, if they are experiencing marital problems, why not separate and obtain a divorce? Why commit murder or pay someone to murder the spouse/partner? She was only 17 years. The poor woman. It is not love to murder someone. We know that it is hatred.
He was indicted in Florida. I cannot recall if, today, Florida has the death penalty or if those on death row are executed in Florida. I do know Texas executes them.
Death penalty could mean he will be imprisoned for life without parole. If death penalty, he will never see the daylight of the world and will die in prison.
Knowing what those court cases are like and the defense attorneys, this case may drag on for years with appeals. Whatever the length and the outcome, I would be surprised if he is acquitted.
If the crime was committed in Los Angeles why was he indicted in the State of Florida? The authorities have their reasons I suppose.
Before peeps jus write for writing and posting sake.please seek information.
Didnt nadira knew he was living with his wife and small small kids when she landed in antigua for queen show.ask antigua woman that work at his store what type of guy he is.
Money is the root of all evil..nadira saw money and she fell for it from since backstage when he was the sponsor of a local queen.who was babysitting his wife kids..omg!!!!.
Ask the antiguan public an u will know his character.i personally feel sorry for another female in a different situation not for nadira that knew he was living with wife and small kids and met him on state business and rope into bed with him.money greed..she didnt care.nadira never came on stage to crowned the following miss jaycess the next year which was a dominican like herself.what a shame..as her reign as miss d/ca an jaycess let me her works during her reign..the wife kids are like steps.
Hope nadira secued money.
It was all about the money.m
Are you saying Morrad was married with kids when he met Nadira? I am confused by what you are saying? I thought he was single when he fled the US to start a business in Antigua?
Ok Admin I am and I am sure alot of your other loyal readers may share my view. Why does this thread continue to be news worthy???? Drop it and move on already…..jeeeees
I am wondering if you are originally from Antigua? Your last name sounds familiar. I have been to Antigua; spent time there. I know some Antiguans who still reside there; also some who reside where I am presently residing overseas.
It is newsworthy. DNO has the right to post it. You know, everyone cannot be pleased. Some will be interested and others may not be interested, the latter for whatever reason.
Nadira is a Dominican, a former Carnival/Beauty Queen. Morrad married her in Dominica. It made big and headline news. It is on Face Book. Google his name and you will find the information if you have not yet done so.
This is the reason why DNO posts this information, to keep us informed. For you, simply pass it on.
DNO keep doing so. We are interested in knowing and the outcome of this case.
The majority of us have empathy for Nadira and are praying for her well-being and peace of mind. May God grant her the strength to cope with this situation.
check the likes and answer that question yourself but in case you slow, NO WE DO NOT SHARE YOUR VIEW. Don’t click if you don’t wanna see it.
murder is very newsworthy hun. Check all these unsolved mysteries and all these other tv shows on crime. Viewers are always intrigued.
Hold strong Nads your family in DA loves you and is praying for you.It could happen to anyone trust God and call on Him.
the young lady barely date the man for a year before she rushed and marry him….She was dating her b/f in dca for awhile so how comes she didn’t rush and marry him? i say money had a part to do with enticing her to marry this man soooo soon less than a year after meeting him…you all wanna bash people for discussing the young lady..if you do not want your life to be in the public don’t put it there..she was boosting her new life..her new ride ..everything she did with her husband was on facebook and instagram etc..so now the bad time hit you all don’t want peeps to discuss it? smh..
Here is the thing…had Nadira been a nice human being people would not be so quick to be so harsh towards her. It is unfortunate that this happened; however I remember thinking what a beautiful young woman but she isnt friendly at all for someone who is in the public’s eye. I work at a hotel and this young woman would visit with her husband and she would walk past you as if you didnt exist. My first thought when i read this article was..it couldnt of happened to a better girl. Now I take it back because I have had time to think about it. May god be with her.
“Reports are that US prosecutors say they may seek the death penalty in the matter.”
The report may be wrong, since there may be no death penalty in the State of California where he committed the crime. He might get life without the possibility of parole
Secondly, the crimes were not committed in the Los Angeles, area since San Bernardino where he committed the crime is almost a hundred miles North East of Los Angeles.
why is Nadira the subject? Actually the matter at hand is practically irrelevant to her. She was not a part of his conspiracy, she didn’t hide him from authority. What the heck, allow the woman to smile daily.
Do not only be protective of the victim and oversensitive of the situation. Our young ladies must not miss a chance to learn. “Take time to know him…”, “Do not judge a book by its cover…” these very important elements were apparently missing. Sometimes we walk pass good individuals without taking time to know them all because of their apparent economic or social status. whiles we “jump right in bed with the devil” without looking twice all because of his apparent economic or social status. Young people be wise be patient.
someone remind me why is this news again? This guy doesn’t even live in Dominica. So because he married to a Dominican then?
Life can be perplex. We never know which train we may hit. On Nadira behalf it will come to pass. She is still not a quarter of a century yet in age. A few years from now she may met another love and try to put this stumping block behind her. Thank god she is childless. A new journey will begin.
And dominicans lets look at the bright side of things. Who knows he could have been hatching a plan to make her his next victim. Let’s just thank God that he didn’t get
To do so and that this young woman will take stock of her life and get her act and future together. Let this be a a lesson for us young women.
Let us be sympathetic to the young lady, she fell in love as we all do. sometimes people get married and after 20 years or so when they think they know their spouse, they reveal themselves to be unworthy. these situations happen everyday. men beat their wives and their wives hide it, and smile in public. what about those who are pedophiles and their spouse dont know and then it is revealed. what about those who cheat constantly or have 2 wives and then you find out the person you married is not who they portray themself to be. so stop making this be about money!! it is very unfortunate for the situation unfolding now. stop bashing the young lady, and put yourself in her shoes! Dont laugh at the misfortunes of others, hers today, ours tomorrow.
I hope the husbands and/or boyfriends of the women with negative comments are treating them right and they have no blemished pasts or done anything illegal and I hope the men commenting have been totally honest with their partners about their pasts and haven’t done anything that would bring shame and dishonour.
I don’t know Nadira or her husband, but, as a woman, this could have happened to any of us. I wish her all the courage and strength in the world to get through this because it is a hard pill to swallow.
I feel sorry for this beautiful young lady that found herself in this mess. I hope others understand the importance of getting to about the person they rushing to say I do to. This is the computer age and you could get to know about anyone, which includes their criminal record and addresses they have lived in. I would be shocked if she never heard about his past and if she did and still went on to marry him then let her deal with it. Maybe she was able to secure her future with him before things unfolded. I will give her the benefit of the doubt and assume that this criminal husband of hers did not change his name after he allegedly plotted his thing.
I hope he did not get a diplomatic passport from Dominica so he could travel back to his home country of Jordan freely. I hope Skerrit and his boys understand the danger they putting us in with their citizenship passport they selling to crooks, mafias, criminals and millionaires all over the world.
What happens in the darkness must comes out in the light. Before marriage, get to know the person (background) . Not everything that glitters is gold. Probably she was blinded by the material stuff (not hating) because it could happen to anyone. Lets hope other females will use nadira & her husband as an example.
She is young. Give her a break and have empathy. Are you aware that it could happen to anyone older than her?
There are some older people who make foolish decisions even when they are told. They will not listen to good advice; some, too late.
Have you heard the saying, “Love is blind?”
Any suggestion how she could have got to know his background better? He probably told her what he wanted her to know and nothing more. This satisfied her.
When the man was convicted and he traveled to Antigua, no doubt to put the past behind him, he did not give it a thought that his crime would catch up with him.
Antigua welcomed him, probably not knowing his past. He lived as a big shot with money in Antigua.
He traveled to Dominica to marry her as one who is an honest person who never committed a crime.
She was happy to find a supposedly kind man who projected that he loved her and adored her and will take care of her for life. She loved him in return and accepted him.
Give me a break @ Just Blaze… This could be anyone of our daughters, sisters, cousins etc. I mean come on. I feel for you Nadira, I am a young woman too. How do you investigate a man in this situation? You have to be the FBI yourself. She could not have possibly known all this information about this man by going to Antigua to meet him and his friends. It is not your fault Nadira. We fall in love and love blinds a lot of things. This is in no way your fault.
If you are in Dominica and you meet a man from Grand Bay, you will always have a friend who knows somebody who knows somebody else who will have a little information about that new love. But who should she have gotten this information from? We say fall for men of character and not money but if you were in her position you would bury yourself in the money and forget everything else. This is life… we live it. Its not your mistake. Rise up and live!!
Peace to all.
She doesn’t have to be an FBI to find out information, even if it had to take years before she get to know him. Is meet someone today and married tomorrow. Why she didn’t married a Dominican? Dominicans not good enough? That what happens when you married foreigners. Miss me with that bs
that is not your business @roseau. People marry who they want to. If you have children, i hope you interviewed the man or woman before you breed.
all who that are hating, have been hating from day one. give the girl a break. go look in all you closet. free up the skeletons.
What rubbish is this???? lol lol You marry a Dominican you marry a Foreigner same thing…. geez anybody can be deceptive. And to enlighten you, she didn’t meet him today and marry him tomorrow. She knew him for years. Tell me how you are going to find information on a man from Jordan…. lol lol google?? Don’t be ridiculous.
You genuinely stupid. Alas
Are you kidding me??? Because the girl didn’t marry a Dominican you blue? Well fact is if Dominican man was giving away for free I would turn choose celibacy. Trust me 70% of Dominicans are lack ambition. 80% of Dominicans over age 30 still living at home… Bring them overseas and is the same mentality. No one likes dead weight when climbing the ladder of success!
You are very ignorant.Thats all I’m going to say.
you are pathetic
Why do you people talk so much crap!
Here is something for you, a mafia operative murdered maybe hundreds of people, got hooked up with a woman for more than thirty years: They moved form one part of the country, and came to Santa Monica, the woman living with him never knew his true character, nor identity, never mind the crimes he was involved into until the day the FBI knocked on the door, arrested and took him away!
So why do you believe this poor Dominican should know everything about him. I bet you talking have something you are hiding, that only you knows about. Remember I spoke about my nurse daughter; married to a convicted murderer, who murdered three people and she knew nothing about it until the murderer sister, ask her if she know her brother killed there people, and lived most of his life in jail because of that?
If California had the death penalty, he would be executed!
Why she have to marry a domincan? everybody marrying everybody why is she you want to marry a dominican?
I hope you know your man from back to front,inside out,in and out ,good luck …idiot
Poor you ,why are you so stupid and fustrated over someones private life,my my i guess you will loose some serious sleep,,,nonetheless the lady is not the one who is suspected of any crime ,bless her because if this was the case both of your tongues would be banging night and day..stupid jealous ,good luck to you..
Some people do not love and do not know what love is.
I feel certain that she genuinely fell in love with him because of his ways, acting in a gentlemanly, loving manner to her.
He resided in Antigua. She would never have given it a thought to investigate him. True love does not work in that manner. If people are genuinely in love, they do not conduct an investigation on their partner unless they are suspicious of the person. Even then, they may never consider it.
There is no doubt that Nadira is shocked and hurting. Consider what she is going through. This is, placing ourselves in her situation thinking, if it were us (man or woman), how would we feel and what would we do and practicing The Golden Rule toward her.
I also feel sorry for her. We must think of her, that it is no easy matter for her; even say a prayer for her that God will grant her peace of mind.
you all stop bashing at money money just s cause nadira waz born gifted and will be continue to be gifted. hold on strong nadira you have the strengh of jesus and your earthly family..we love you nado
I knew something thing was up with this man
Why do you say this? We are all a bit weird at times but apparently you saw something different in Morrad? It’s really a sad story in many ways. We all have skeletons in the closet but some of our skeletons are larger than others.
When I read of her marriage and saw his picture, I also had my suspicion about him, never knowing of course that this is the type of man he is.
Let us give Nadira all the support, be it in our mind and in words. Those who know what love is all about, they will think she did not make a mistake (unless she tells us that) by falling in love with him and marrying him.
Let us consider. She obviously thought he is a kind man, in love with her, that she would bear his children and lived happily forever.
We occasionally say there are times life can deal a hard blow when we least expect it. She needs all the kind and compassionate support she can get. If we are genuine Christians this will be our attitude. We are not faking it. God expects this of us.
Hmmm, oh boy! This is very disturbing. If you did pay for your wife to be killed, then it is catching up to you now. U.S. detectives do not allow any stone to remain unturned, this was an unsolved case for awhile. Nadira, I am very sorry for this unfortunate situation in your life. i ask God to give you the strength to cope with this.
Let this be a lesson to all the young women of Dominica who are considering putting morals aside for money. Lets get back to a stage where women sought men of character and not money.
What makes you so sure that the young lady married for money? why would that even come to your mind? You seem familiar with this. She married the man she claimed to love, how many of us have done the same>
This unfortunate thing happened, let’s just be sorry. Because this one came out to light and we know one of the victims (both Nadira and Vicki are victims) we want to criminalize marriage?
What about all the other crimes out there which are kept in the dark? 99 days for the thief they say.
You ignorant small island people just like being controversial and JEALOUS!
Who can be jealous of a woman who married a man who is accused of murdering his first wife? Anyone wish they were her? I doubt it.
What we have to say is that she is one lucky woman that she was not made a second corpse by her husband if in fact he did commit the crime. From the reports we are getting, it was not an accidental death; it is a homicide. I cannot see where there is anything to be jealous about. The young lady might have given her heart to someone who was underserving of her love.
She deserves our understanding. She made a bad choice for a husband. We all make mistakes and we will continue to make them. Pray that no other person we care about find themselves in a similar situation. Depending on what he told her she could be in denial and hopes it is a big nightmare to wake up from very soon. As a fellow Dominican we must show her love and understanding.
Of course she married for money. Who goes and marries a balding short man more than half her age if it wasn’t for money. Dont give me that bs about love. There are many other Dominican men that would be prepared to give her love but she picked him because he stood out because he was wealthy, alledgedly with over 6 million insurance money from the killing of the wife I heard.
What a stupid comment.
I do not think money was a factor here, This woman was and is still a simple woman, came from good mental state and easily satisfied.. although there were challenges growing up she is one of the young woman who i have alot of respect for.
She would settle for any man who seemed ambitious and creative and any young woman would fall for a man who had these qualities and this man showed.. yet we know some dreams seems to good to be true and behnd every black cloud is a sad story and a broken heart princess…
Many guys would want to be her husband now,,,
Stop hiding behind that photo. You are a PHONY!
Just Blaze, what do you know? Under this circumstance your comments are nonsensical. Do you have an inkling what true love is? You give women advice when you know nothing. Did she tell you she married for money? Because he supposedly has money, is this the real reason she married him? I doubt it. Put on your thinking cap.
Things like this can happen to anyone anywhere around the world so why not let it be a lesson to all the young women world wide instead of just Dominica…stupes…
Maybe she married for love and nothing else.
@ Just Blaze ,did the Woman have a Geiger counter to indicate that the man she met,was of good Character?
Money…Money….Money is the root of all evil!
It’s the love of money…
Let us face it. Be realistic. Who does not like money? Can we live without it? How often we may say, “If only I had money to do and purchase this and that.”
), whenever I return from specifically the grocery store, I thank God for the money and food for me and my family.
Money is necessary just as long as we do not worship it and above God. When we get it or have it, we must thank God for it and ask him to help us spend it wisely.
I will let you in on a secret (not really a secret
So, when people make statements and also on this Website, they must consider and be broadminded that they do not know others who comment. They do not know the depth of their faith in God, who they are and how they live. There is much more to the human spirit than meets the eye or even by what we write. Our spirituality is known only to God.
This is why some of you must not judge Nadira and make uncomplimentary remarks about her. Can you read her mind? Food for thought.
You don’t know if she married him for money. It could simply be love.
Money by itself is not evil. It is ‘LOVE OF MONEY’ tha
t is the root of all evil!
So what? Whose money? Some people think lowly. Keep your mind on true love rather than on money.
One day, I hope Nadira will tell her true and full story.
correction KID ON THE BLOCK money is not the root of all evil the LOVE of money is the root of all evil
teach im teach im teacher