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Md. Man Charged In 2011 Murder Of Identical Twin Shot Dead In Ga.

COLUMBIA, Md. (WJZ)—A Georgia man is behind bars for killing a man who made headlines here in Maryland after being accused of murdering his twin brother in Howard County. Wael Ali was charged in his brother's death but was later released after a mistrial.

Rochelle Ritchie has more on what police are calling an accident.

The story of the twins was a modern day Cain and Abel story back in 2011. Wael Ali adamantly denied killing his brother, although Howard County Police think otherwise. Now he too is dead, and his brother's murder is still unsolved.

The troubling story of Wael Ali and his twin brother Wasel Ali dates back to 2011 after Wasel Ali was found strangled to death in a wooded area near the Mall of Columbia, where he was hanging out with his twin prior to his murder.

"Now the looks I have to deal with is the second guessing me, 'Did you do it? Did you not?'" Wael Ali said.

The hunt for the killer led police to Wael Ali, who they charged with murder. But the judge declared a mistrial.

WJZ spoke with him after the charges were dropped.

"I can imagine what my parents went through losing one son. I can't imagine what they were feeling with the possibility of losing another one," he said.Ali Twins

Wael Ali's words foreshadow what unfolded in Marietta, Ga. Police say he was shot by a close friend inside of a restaurant.

Marietta police tell us Raouf Sanad is the triggerman. He is charged with involuntary manslaughter.

Raouf Sanad
Raouf Sanad, 63, Georgia, charged in death of Wael Ali. Ali was charged in Md. with killing his twin in 2011.

Police say Wasel Ali was showing Sanad his personal weapon when he handed the gun to him to check it out.

"He wasn't paying attention to some safety practices and ended up pulling the trigger, and when he did that, it shot Mr. Ali in the front neck area," said a spokesman with the Marietta Police Department.

Wael Ali and his mother moved to Atlanta to start over.

The Howard County Sheriff's Office continues to investigate the murder of Wasel Ali. In a statement to WJZ they say "As of today the case is still open. In light of recent events it will be reviewed because [Wael Ali] was still the primary suspect."

Until his death, Wael Ali denied any involvement.

Reporter: "Whatever did happen to your brother?"

Wael Ali: "We'll never know, it's unsolved, and I highly doubt that we're actually going to get answers."

Police in Georgia do not believe Sanad intended to kill Wael Ali. He is currently in jail on a $22,000 bond.

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