A man accused of killing a store clerk in Fresno, California could now get the death penalty if convicted, reports American Bazaar.
The Madera County District Attorney this week added charges of special circumstances against Amritraj Singh Athwal in the November 13 death of Dharampreet Singh Jassar, a student from Punjab, who was studying accounting and criminal justice at Fresno State University.
Athwal is now in jail awaiting trial along with his cousin Savirant Singh Athwal in the case. Authorities say they were among four men who robbed a grocery store next to a gas station.
They are charged with murder, second-degree robbery, and a special allegation of murder while in the commission of a robbery.
“We do not take capital cases lightly, however, based upon the facts that have been reported to us from law enforcement, we believe that either life without the possibility of parole, or the death penalty, is the appropriate sentence in this case,” said DA David Linn.
NYOOZ reports the incident has raised concerns of Indian on Indian crime.
Sukhi Chahal, chairman of the Punjab Foundation, called on community leaders to “accept the hard reality and work together to find the solution of these problems”
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