North Hills man found guilty in murders of wife and son

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A North Hills man has been found guilty in the 2016 shooting death of his son and the stabbing death of his wife.

Shehada Issa, 70, is expected to face life in prison without the possibility of parole when he returns for sentencing on Oct. 26.

He had been charged with two counts of first-degree murder, as well as a sentencing enhancement of a hate crime because prosecutors believe his son's gay sexual identity was one of several motives in the killing.

Authorities said Issa shot his son, 38-year-old Amir, outside of their family home.

His 68-year-old wife, Rabihah, was found dead inside the home. Investigators initially believed Issa killed his son because he was gay, but later determined it may have been also to try to cover up for the murder of his wife.

The jury deliberated for nearly six hours before delivering the guilty verdict.

Jurors heard testimony about how Issa had ruled the household with an iron fist. Recorded evidence showed him threatening to kill his wife, cut her in half and burn down the house.

Prosecutors say after stabbing his wife 45 times, he locked up the house and prepared for the murder of his son two days later.

Issa claimed self-defense in the shooting of his son, saying he thought the man he saw near the house was a burglar coming toward him with a shiny object.

But the prosecution presented evidence that suggested the confrontation took place during daylight hours, around 9 a.m, and that Issa was at a close enough proximity to his son that the 29-year-old's face was extensively damaged.

The killing drew attention from the gay community due to initial belief that Amir had been killed because of clashes with his father over his sexual orientation.

Investigators believe that one of Issa's other motives was money.

According to investigators, Issa was a gambler who wanted to sell the family home and felt that his wife and son were standing in the way.