Introduction to the Case
A Houston man, Masiullah Sahil, who has been in jail for murder since late March, was granted a personal recognizance (PR) bond on Thursday afternoon. This decision was made after Harris County prosecutors failed to indict him before the 90-day deadline. Sahil’s bond on the murder charge was previously set at $750,000, but Judge Emily Detoto granted the PR bond during a hearing, citing "mandatory law" as the reason.
Background of the Incident
Sahil is accused of stabbing Abdul Niazi, a father of five, multiple times at his office in March. Niazi, a former Afghan marine who fought alongside U.S. forces in Afghanistan, lost the use of both his legs in battle and required a motorized wheelchair. According to court documents, Sahil admitted to Niazi’s wife that he had stabbed and killed her husband.
Prosecution’s Failure to Indict
Prosecutors failed to indict Sahil for murder within the 90-day deadline. During the hearing, prosecutors could not provide a valid reason for the delay, simply stating that "it just didn’t get done." The District Attorney’s Office is reviewing the situation with the prosecutors handling the case. The judge noted that there are five grand juries sworn in at any given time, and Texas has hundreds of prosecutors and support staff, yet the state did not have a sufficient reason for failing to indict Sahil.
New Charges and Bond
Although Sahil was granted the PR bond, which would release him from jail for free, prosecutors added a tampering with evidence charge connected to the murder case. His bond for this new charge was set at $25,000, and if posted, a GPS monitor would be required.
Reaction from the Victim’s Family
Niazi’s cousin, Rizwanullah Niazi, expressed shock and disappointment at the state’s handling of the case. He feels that the state’s excuse for not indicting Sahil is not good enough and that they are "playing with our emotions." The family is concerned that if Sahil is released, he may pose a threat to others.
Details of the Crime
Sahil had been working with Niazi on his refugee paperwork and had become frustrated with the pace of the process. He is accused of stabbing Niazi 20 times, and surveillance video shows him entering and leaving Niazi’s office building, covered in blood. After the killing, Sahil called Niazi’s wife and confessed to the crime.
Conclusion
The case of Masiullah Sahil raises concerns about the efficiency and effectiveness of the justice system in Harris County. The failure to indict Sahil within the 90-day deadline has led to his release on a PR bond, despite the severity of the crime. The victim’s family is left to wonder if justice will be served, and the community is left to worry about the potential consequences of Sahil’s release. As Niazi’s cousin asked, "Who will be responsible if the guy is released and comes back and kills someone else?"
