American Woman Awaits Verdict in UK Attempted Murder Case

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A U.S. citizen from Wisconsin is awaiting a British jury’s verdict in a high-profile attempted murder case, raising questions about due process and the treatment of Americans in foreign courts. Aimee Betro, 45, from West Allis, is accused of participating in a 2019 conspiracy to kill a man in Birmingham, England, a charge she firmly denies.

Jurors at Birmingham Crown Court are expected to begin deliberations next week after closing arguments concluded last Monday. Betro faces three serious charges: conspiracy to murder, possession of a self-loading pistol, and attempting to illegally import ammunition. British prosecutors allege she traveled from Armenia to the U.K. to assist in a violent feud orchestrated by two British nationals, Mohammed Aslam and his son, Mohammed Nabil Nazir.

According to the prosecution, Betro disguised herself in a niqab and attempted to shoot Sikander Ali outside his home on September 7, 2019. They claim the gun jammed during the first attempt, and she returned five hours later to fire at the victim’s home from a taxi. Ali was unharmed.

Betro maintains her innocence, claiming mistaken identity and calling the alleged link to her a case of “unfortunate coincidence.” She testified that another American woman, allegedly with a similar voice and appearance, may have been the real perpetrator. She also challenged the prosecution’s claim that it was her voice on taxi call recordings.

On Friday, Judge Simon Drew KC addressed jurors’ concerns over the lack of forensic voice comparison analysis. The judge cautioned them not to speculate about the absence of such evidence and reminded them that their decision must be based solely on what was presented in court. “You decide the case according to the evidence,” he instructed.

The formal presentation of evidence has concluded. Judge Drew will deliver his summary of the case before jurors retire, likely on Tuesday, to determine Betro’s fate.