A Saudi national, 24-year-old Ziyad Abid, was charged for the September 2012 homicide of bar owner Blaine Whitworth, otherwise known as the Warrensburg murder. The Warrensburg murder suspect was charged with first-degree murder and has been denied bond twice due to fears that he would leave the country.
The Warrensburg murder suspect, Ziyad Abid, was freed after Reginald Singletary, a former employee of Whitworth and Abid's roommate, confessed to the murder. Reginald Singletary had initially told authorities that he was hired by Ziyad Abid to commit the Warrensburg murder, but prosecturs have been unable to find a motive.
"Abid was originally charged based on evidence resulting from the criminal investigation. Very recently, our understanding of evidence previously obtained from a critical witness has changed. As a result, the State is currently left without sufficient evidence to support the prosecution at this time," said Lynn Stoppy, Johnson County, Mo., prosecuting attorney.
That said, Chief of Police, Bruce Howey, has issued a statement declaring his disappointment in the former Warrensburg Murder suspect's acquittal.
"As a law enforcement agency, our job is to investigate crimes to the fullest, and then not intercede in the prosecution process once the case has been turned over to them. We have full faith and the utmost respect in our Prosecuting Attorney and the State Attorney General's Office and the difficult decisions they have to make.Due to the fact that there is a pending criminal case against Reginald Singletary, we will make no further comment," said Howey.
Here are four things to know about the now-former Warrensburg murder suspect Ziyad Abid:
1. Ziyad Abid is a Saudi national.
2. Ziyad Abid, at the time of his arrest, was studying at University of Central Missouri.
3. Ziyad Abid was studying to become a pilot and was passionate about aviation.
4. Ziyad Abid placed the money for his $2 million bond, but was not released as he was deemed a flightrisk. The money was put forth by the Saudi government after Abid's father, Tariq Abid, persuaded the government to have the money wired into the Johnson County court clerk's bank account.