A grand jury will decide the fate of a man charged with the murder of a UAE student in the US earlier this year.
Neil Kumar, 30, was gunned down in a petrol station robbery in Pike County, Alabama, in July.
The 30-year-old son of an Indian family from Sharjah was studying for a master’s degree in computer science and was working part-time at the garage.
The attack took place as Mr Kumar was opening up the garage in the city of Brundidge, shortly after 6am.
Leon Terrell Flowers, 23, is charged with capital murder and robbery.
Following a preliminary hearing, Pike County Judge Steven Curtis decided there was sufficient evidence against Flowers to send the case to a grand jury.
Brundidge police chief Moses Davenport said evidence showed Flowers entering the garage around 6am and demanding money.
Mr Davenport said Flowers went behind the counter where he shot Kumar at close range before leaving with an undetermined amount of cash.
The police chief added that an anonymous 911 call was made at 7am.
Flowers has four prior convictions, according to Pike County district attorney Thomas Anderson.
He was previously arrested and charged with felony murder in an unrelated case, which was subsequently reduced to manslaughter.
Flowers was released on probation on April 30, after being given credit for time served while awaiting trial.
In that case, the father of the victim had asked for leniency.
Kumar’s parents, Kumar Purushu and his wife Seema, originally from India, have lived in Sharjah for most of their lives.
Their three children, including Kumar, went to school in Dubai. Kumar’s two sisters have both settled in America since then.
Mr Kumar was enrolled at Troy University, where friends and staff said they were saddened and shocked by his death.
Following his tragic death, Kumar's family paid tribute to a beloved son and brother.
“You are loved and missed by so many because of your kind, witty, charming and selfless nature,” the family said.
“Your loss is unbearable and you have left a hole in our hearts that can never be filled. We will miss you for ever beloved son and dearest little brother.”
The date of the next hearing is yet to be disclosed.