Zein Isa
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Zein Isa (died February 17, 1997) was a Palestinian immigrant living in St. Louis, who was responsible for the honor killing of his 16-year old daughter Palestina (also known as Tina) in 1989. His wife Maria Isa was Brazilian. After learning that Palestina had taken a part-time job without her parents' permission, and dated an African American boyfriend, Maria held down Palestina, who was then repeatedly stabbed by Zein.
Zein Isa was a member of the Abu Nidal Organization, which at the time he murdered his daughter was plotting to bomb the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C.. A crucial factor in his trial was that the FBI had Zein under surveillance in connection with his suspected militant activities, and had recorded Palestina's murder on an audio cassette. This was especially important in confirming that Maria was an active participant in the murder, and that Zein's claim of self-defense was unwarranted.
On December 20, 1991[1] both Zein and Maria Isa were convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death. On April 1, 1993 Zein Isa was indicted by the FBI in connection with his Abu Nidal Organization activities, but the charges were dropped because he was already on Death Row.
Zein Isa succumbed to diabetes on February 17, 1997. Maria's death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment without parole.
