San Diego

Man Accused of Killing Gay Son Faces Charge in Wife's Slaying

Amir Issa, 29, was shot outside of the house and his body was discovered in the front yard

A 69-year-old man already charged with murder in the shooting of his son was charged Thursday with fatally stabbing his wife at their North Hills home before the shooting, prosecutors said. The charges make him eligible for the death penalty.

Shehada Khalil Issa now faces two counts of willful, deliberate and premeditated murder with a special circumstance allegation of multiple murders, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.

He's expected to be arraigned May 17.

Issa is accused of killing his wife, Rabihah Shibi Issa, 68, with a knife sometime between March 27 and 29, prosecutors said.

He also faces a special circumstances allegation that the he used a shotgun, which caused great bodily injury and death to his son, Amir Issa, 38, and a hate crime allegation.

On March 29, police responding to the family's home allegedly discovered the body of Amir Issa outside of house. Rabihah Issa's body was found inside a bathroom, prosecutors said.

Shehada Issa faces the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole. A decision on whether to seek the death penalty will be made at a later date.

Amir Issa was convicted in 2011 of attacking a man in San Diego, according to court documents obtained by NBC San Diego.

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