UAE: FIRING SQUAD FOR MAID WHO KILLED MOTHER AND TODDLER

May 29, 2012: A maid who killed her employer and the woman's two-year-old child will face a firing squad unless the victim's husband changes his mind, an official said.
The maid reportedly stabbed the Moroccan woman 117 times and then set her and her daughter on fire a week after she started working for them.
The Ethiopian maid claimed it was in self-defence as her employer was threatening her.
Ahmad Khateri, the head of Ras Al Khaimah Courts, said the Court of Cassation upheld the death sentence because the husband insisted on vengeance.
"However, if he changes his mind, even at the last minute, the case will return to the court," Mr Khateri said.
The husband could decide instead to accept blood money. The execution also needs presidential approval.
The maid was cutting vegetables before fajr prayer during Ramadan two years ago when she argued with her employer.
The wife threatened the maid with deportation. The maid stabbed the wife in the torso, lungs, kidneys, back and head.
The maid put the body in the bedroom with the sleeping child, placed her bloodied clothing in a bag, set the bag on fire and threw it into the bedroom. The fire quickly spread. The child died of smoke inhalation. (Sources: thenational.ae, 29/05/2012)