Woman sentenced to 10 to 30 years in prison for killing her abusive husband in Bucks County.
A woman from Levittown, Pennsylvania, expressed her emotions as she stood before Bucks County Judge Jeffrey Finley, seeking leniency during her sentencing for third-degree murder. Sammar Khan, 42, recounted the significant trauma that had marked the last decade of her life, describing a history of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse inflicted by her husband, Faisal Iqbal, whom her family had compelled her to marry. While Khan expressed remorse for her actions in May 2023, when she fatally shot Iqbal at Bristol Wharf, she grapples with the lasting consequences of her decision, which she described as a burden she must carry forever.
Judge Finley expressed sympathy for Khan’s situation but emphasized that her actions required accountability. He stated that, regardless of her circumstances, the act of killing another person could not be justified. Following his deliberation, he sentenced Khan to a prison term ranging from 10 to 30 years, taking into consideration the abuse she had endured throughout her marriage.
According to prosecutors, on the day of the incident, Khan shot Iqbal, 38, multiple times with a legally obtained 9mm handgun. Disturbingly, their child was present during the shooting. Witnesses reported that a heated argument erupted between the couple prior to the gunfire, and some observed Khan continuing to shoot Iqbal as he attempted to flee, desperately calling for help.
Chief Deputy District Attorney Kristin McElroy characterized the incident as unprovoked and indicated that evidence suggested it could have qualified as premeditated, first-degree murder. However, due to the couple’s troubled history, Khan was permitted to plead guilty to the lesser charge of third-degree murder.
Khan’s defense attorney, Ellis Palividas, argued that she had taken numerous steps to protect herself, including obtaining a protection from abuse order. He stated that the legal system had failed to provide adequate safeguarding for his client. He detailed Khan’s lifelong history of violence, which began during her childhood in Pakistan and continued through her marriage to Iqbal.
A forensic psychologist testifying on Khan’s behalf stated that she exhibited one of the most severe cases of battered woman syndrome he had encountered, leaving her in a constant state of fear regarding her estranged husband. Khan’s marriage to Iqbal had deteriorated significantly over the years, with chronic domestic issues leading her to repeatedly contact law enforcement for assistance.
Records revealed that Khan had reported numerous domestic disputes and had made multiple calls to 911 between 2014 and 2023. Footage presented in court illustrated Iqbal’s violent behavior, during which he forced his way into Khan’s home, smashing windows and doors when denied entry.
After the sentencing, Palividas expressed disappointment with the ruling, arguing that if Khan had not taken action to defend herself, she could have easily been the victim. He highlighted the pervasive cycle of domestic violence in their case, noting that Khan avoided receiving a life sentence and, perhaps more importantly, did not face a death sentence.
