Rabin’s Assassin Formally Charged Confessed Killer Laughs, Jokes As Trial Date Set For Dec. 19

In a bizarre court appearance Wednesday, confessed assassin Yigal Amir laughed, whispered and waved as prosecutors charged him with the murder of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin.

The arraignment proceedings themselves were somber. Prosecutors detailed the charges against Amir and his brother, Haggai, and their friend, Dror Adani. Amir was charged with premeditated murder and a trial date was set for Dec. 19.

“He is accused of the worst crime in the law books: murder,” said chief prosecutor Pnina Guy.

But even as she spoke, Amir whispered to his brother in the row in front of him, smiled broadly at his sister and father in the audience, and laughed at his own jokes. He told his sister to “be strong” and that he loved her.

The tiny courtroom was packed with journalists, police officers and soldiers. Unlike previous court appearances, Amir, a 25-year-old orthodox Jew, was prevented from talking to reporters. His face was unshaven and he wore a blue T-shirt and his trademark black yarmulke. Before entering the court, Amir flashed reporters a “V” for victory sign.

The hearing marked the first time Amir’s lawyer, Jonathan Goldberg, appeared on behalf of his client. Goldberg, a native of Houston who now lives in a Jewish settlement on the West Bank, was besieged by reporters as he left the courtroom. He denied rumors that the defense costs were being paid by an American organization that opposed the Middle East peace process, and explained that he believed Amir was entitled to a good attorney.

“This is a democratic country,” he said. “It’s my profession. This is what I do. … I defend everybody.”

Goldberg also described his client as a “good man who wants to do good in the world,” and said Amir had “a good heart.”