A Vermont man is on trial for shooting 3 Palestinian students. He claimed the CIA told him to do it
A 12-member jury will hear evidence after repeated delays as prosecutors and defense lawyers sought experts for Eaton’s insanity defense.
- On Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, the attempted murder trial of Jason Eaton, 51, began in Burlington, Vermont, where he faces three counts of second-degree attempted murder for shooting three college students in November 2023.
- Victims Hisham Awartani, Kinnan Abdalhamid, and Tahseen Ali Ahmad were walking in Burlington on Nov. 25, 2023, when Eaton allegedly confronted them; two wore traditional Palestinian keffiyehs while speaking English and Arabic.
- Testifying from a wheelchair Monday, Awartani described how Eaton approached and fired without speaking; Aliahmad and Abdalhamid corroborated the account, with Awartani paralyzed from the waist down in the shooting.
- Defense attorney Joshua O'Hara argued Eaton suffered from a delusional, psychotic disorder after losing his job two weeks before the shooting, while Prosecutor Sally Adams countered that evidence will show he intended to kill.
- If convicted, Eaton faces up to life in prison; if found not guilty by reason of insanity, he could be ordered to undergo mental health treatment instead of serving a criminal sentence.
27 Articles
27 Articles
A Vermont man is on trial for shooting 3 Palestinian students. He claimed the CIA told him to do it – WTOP News
Jason Eaton insisted he was acting on orders from the CIA and Mossad when he shot three Palestinian college students who were walking past his home a few days after Thanksgiving. He said the U.S. and Israeli intelligence agencies transmitted the messages to him via FM radio and that God was commanding him to protect...
Associated Press News
A Vermont man is on trial for shooting 3 Palestinian students. He claimed the CIA told him to do it
Jason Eaton insisted he was acting on orders from the CIA and Mossad when he shot three Palestinian college students who were walking past his home a few days after Thanksgiving.
Trial of man accused of shooting 3 Palestinian college students begins in Vermont
Jason Eaton faces three charges of attempted second-degree murder and could be sentenced to life in prison if he’s convicted. During the trial, Eaton’s attorneys will argue that he was insane at the time of the crime, and therefore should not be criminally punished.
Palestinian students injured in 2023 Vermont shooting make surprise appearance as trial begins - The Boston Globe
Jason Eaton, 51, of Burlington, has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. The trial is expected to hinge on expert testimony on his state of mind at the time.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 52% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
