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American-Israeli teen’s killer convicted

An Israeli Arab was convicted of killing an Israeli-American teenager and two others.
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July 21, 2010

An Israeli Arab was convicted of killing an Israeli-American teenager and two others.

Adwan Yahiya Farhan, 35, was convicted Wednesday in Nazareth District Court for the murder of Dana Bennett, 18, as well as Czech tourist Sylvia Molrova and Farhan’s former cellmate, Aharon Simahov. Farhan is facing a possible prison sentence of three life terms.

Bennett disappeared in Tiberias in 2003; her remains were discovered in 2009.

A Chicago native, Bennett had come to Israel to study and live at Kibbutz Tirat Tzvi in 1999. Her mother lives in Tiberias and her father in Los Angeles.

Farhan also was convicted of rape, two counts of kidnapping with intent to murder and abduction.

“Justice was done,” said Bennett’s mother, Vicky, following the verdict. “I never thought it would turn out any differently. It is no consolation, but it’s a relief.”

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