State supreme court upholds 2017 Grand Island murder conviction

HASTINGS, Neb. (KSNB) - A Grand Island man lost his appeal for a 2017 murder conviction and related prison sentence.

The Nebraska Supreme Court Wednesday upheld the murder and weapons convictions for Ahmed Said, 26, in connection with the April 2017 beating death of Adulma Khamis.

Grand Island Police said the murder happened April 13, 2017 in the 700 block of West 1st Street. Police found Khamis unconscious and he later died of injuries to his head. Police believed Said killed Khamis by hitting him in the head with a blunt object.

In his appeal to the state supreme court Said’s attorney said the district judge made numerous errors in trying the case, including allowing evidence from law enforcement questioning and from Said’s cell phone, both of which he argued were unconstitutional. The appeal also accused the judge of preventing Said from presenting evidence about Khamis’ mental health and use of drugs and alcohol and questioned the judge’s decision to allow certain DNA testing evidence which Said’s attorney said was inconclusive and prejudicial.

The high court rejected those arguments and upheld Said’s convictions on Second Degree Murder and Use of a Weapon to Commit a Felony. They also upheld the sentences of 60-80 years in prison for the murder charge and 25-30 years on the weapons conviction