A jury has convicted a teenager of murdering two sisters in a park in London last year, where he stabbed them to death, in a crime that has sparked controversy in Britain, according to The Guardian. Daniel Hussein, 19 years old, killed Nicole Smallman (27) and Bibaa Henry (46). The prosecution stated that he "contracted with the devil to sacrifice the women in exchange for winning the lottery."
Investigators believe that Hussein underwent "some form of extremism" after being exposed to obscure materials on the so-called dark web, and that he would have continued to kill more women if he had not injured his hand while killing the sisters. The killer claimed that the injury to his hand was caused by an attack from a knife-wielding thief, a statement he made while receiving treatment in a hospital the day after the crime.
Following the guilty verdict from the jury, Judge Weeble has postponed sentencing Hussein until September 22, requesting reports on his mental health and the impact of his autism. The judge urged the killer to cooperate with the doctors and also requested reports from prison and records of Hussein's online searches while in jail.
So far, the police have been unable to access Hussein's full browsing history after seizing electronic devices he used, including an iPad found in his bedroom. The police have expressed difficulties in obtaining information that could help understand the killer's mindset and his communication history with others.
Prosecutor Oliver Glasgow stated that forensic evidence and surveillance camera footage led the police to Hussein, with his DNA found on the bodies of the sisters as well as on a blood-stained knife discovered near their bodies in "Fryent Country Park."
During the trial, documents taken from Hussein's home were presented, including a contract written in blood on a white paper, which he claims is an agreement with the devil, wherein he pledges to kill six women every six months in exchange for winning a lottery prize.
Footage was shown to investigators depicting Hussein leaving his father's house two days before the stabbing to purchase a set of knives, as well as images of him walking toward the park at night, according to Sky News. The prosecutor noted that Hussein brought with him a mask and two small shovels purchased online, entering the park shortly after 1 AM and leaving at 4 AM.
Glasgow added, "It is likely he spent most of that time contemplating his plan and searching for potential victims, and why he chose the sisters, or what attracted him to them, is also unclear." Glasgow confirmed that the killer denies "any involvement in the crimes he is alleged to have committed."
