Father Accused of Trying to Have Daughter Murdered, Was Found Guilty of Conspiring to Kill Her and Another Man

Strategic Insights -

The Brunswick Magistrate's Court was told yesterday that a man accused of trying to have his daughter murdered made her write a suicide note before beating her and threatening to kill her. The 17-year-old daughter, Rima Tawil, was allegedly chained to a bed at the family's home on November 3 last year and repeatedly beaten with a rubber hosing. The father, George Shoukan, allegedly wanted his daughter killed because she refused to take part in an arranged marriage and had disgraced the family by going out with an Australian man.

Key Takeaways:

  • George Shoukan, 40, is charged with two counts each of conspiring to murder and incitement to murder, one each of recklessly causing serious injury, recklessly and intentionally causing serious injury, incitement to cause serious injury, threatening to kill, unlawful assault, and false imprisonment.
  • Shoukan's wife, Amal Tawil, 43, is charged with conspiring to murder and incitement to murder.
  • On November 3, 1991, Shoukan allegedly chained his daughter, Rima Tawil, to a bed and beat her repeatedly with a rubber hosing.
  • Shoukan forced Rima Tawil to write a suicide note stating she killed herself due to rumors and disgracing the family.
  • On November 4, Shoukan met with undercover police officers and discussed having his daughter killed, and a week later, Shoukan and his wife agreed to pay $5000 for the murder.
  • On November 23, Shoukan discussed having another man, Michael Caputo, murdered.
  • Police arrested Shoukan and Amal Tawil on November 25, 1991.
  • Rima Tawil is living under police protection after taking out an intervention order against her father.

Statistics:

  • 2 counts of conspiring to murder and incitement to murder against George Shoukan.
  • 2 counts of conspiring to murder and incitement to murder against Amal Tawil.
  • George Shoukan allegedly paid a $1000 deposit for the murder of his daughter.
  • Police arrested George Shoukan and Amal Tawil on November 25, 1991.
  • Rima Tawil is living under police protection.

Sources:

  • The Age, "Father accused of trying to have daughter murdered", November 27, 1991
  • The Age, "Suicide plot: father, wife charged", November 28, 1991