Murder victim Asifawosen Alemseged on a recording label. Photo via neoblack.com
A Lakewood man accused in the beating death of a taxi driver and recording artist who was attacked at a Hollywood gas station appeared in court Monday but did not enter a plea.
Najib Halibi is being held without bail while awaiting arraignment in connection with the attack on Asfawosen Alemseged, who had worked for Yellow Cab for 24 years. Speaking today through an interpreter, Halibi agreed to postpone his arraignment to Sept. 6.
The murder charge includes the special circumstance allegation of murder during the commission of a robbery. Prosecutors will decide later whether to seek the death penalty against the 34-year-old defendant.
According to a statement issued by Yellow Cab, the 47-year-old victim was well-known in his native Ethiopia as an actor, singer and poet.
Halibi allegedly got out of the taxi, reached back inside the vehicle, grabbed Alemseged, went through his pockets and beat the cabbie after the driver got out of the vehicle shortly after 3 a.m. Aug. 14.
Police were dispatched to the gas station in the area of Franklin Avenue and North Beachwood Drive in response to an assault with a deadly weapon call, said Officer Scott Danielson of the LAPD’s Hollywood Station.
Alemseged was rushed to an area hospital, where he died from his injuries.
Halibi was arrested about 3:15 p.m. last Wednesday in the area of Avalon Boulevard and the San Diego (405) Freeway, according to Los Angeles police.
—City News Service
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