Not only is he accused of the arson, but of setting the fire in such a way that it would make it very difficult for anyone in the house to avoid being burned to death
An English court was told the Iranian used-car salesman acted out of spite following the collapse of his marriage.
Danai Muhammadi, 24, was the “principal figure” of three involved in the arson attack that killed his estranged wife, Melissa Crook, 20, and their 15-month-old son Noah, and her father, Mark Crook, 49, in Chatham, Kent County, not far from the Channel Tunnel.
The fire was set near 2:30am on September 10 last year. Gasoline was squirted through the mail slot of the family’s home at the base of the stairs.
The gasoline was lit and the flames cut off any escape route for the family who were asleep upstairs, jurors were told.
The court heard Muham-madi’s actions were borne out “of a mixture of spite, anger and resentment” as it was clear he faced divorce.
Prosecutor Mark Dennis said Muhammadi was “encouraged and goaded” by his new girlfriend, unemployed Emma Smith, 21, of Coventry, where Muhammadi also lived.
`Police say Muhammadi was also aided helped by a friend, 35-year-old doorman Farhad Mahmud.
All three deny three counts of murder, and two counts of attempted murder in relation to Mrs. Crook’s mother, Amanda Crook, and her older brother, Bohdan Crook, who escaped the burning house by diving out an upstairs window.
Prosecutor Dennis said the arson had clearly been planned and the family home deliberately targeted in a “wicked attack’’ following the short-lived marriage between Muhammadi and Crook.
The marriage had collapsed six months earlier amid arguments and emotional conflict involving their young son, and it was clear that divorce was imminent, jurors were told.
Prosecutor Dennis said: “The perpetrators of this dreadful act plainly had no intention that the occupants of the house would be able to escape the effects of the fire.
“A spray container device had been used to ensure petrol was squirted deep into the hallway and around the foot of the staircase, thereby ensuring not only that the fire would take hold inside the house but also that the means of escape for those upstairs was cut off.’’
He said, “By the week of the fire, it was clear that, for Muhammadi’s wife, the marriage was over, divorce was imminent and his wife and child were to go together on their separate way without him.
“It is often difficult to fathom why someone should carry out an act of violence or harm towards another. Such a wicked act as was perpetrated in this case tends to suggest a somewhat twisted and unbalanced mind.’’
Muhammadi, known as Danny or Sam, came to the UK as a refugee in 2005. He met his future wife when she was in her early teens, shortly after he arrived in Britain.
Just after she celebrated her 16th birthday, she announced to her family that she was leaving to move to Coventry where Muhammadi’s older brother lived. The couple married in September 2009 when she was aged 18 and a year later she gave birth to Noah.
Cracks soon began to appear in their “floundering” marriage, Prosecutor Dennis said.
Police were called to their home in Coventry following an incident in March 2011.
Dennis said: “Melissa decided enough was enough and left the marital home and returned to Chatham, taking Noah with her.
“Muhammadi acknowledged that he had anger management issues, and he initially sought help dealing with this matter.
“However, as the weeks went by, it would have become apparent to him that, whatever his wishes or desires may or not have been, the marriage was not going to be repaired.”
The strains on the relationship increased following the arrival of Smith, who was raised in a children’s home and described as “very bull-headed and determined’’.
It is believed Smith struck up a relationship with Muham-madi weeks before the arson attack, and was said to be “besotted” with him and resentful towards his estranged wife.
The court heard that in the weeks before the deaths, a series of “spiteful” text messages were exchanged between the three.
The texts between Smith and Melissa Crook developed a hostile tone.
In one Smith said: “Let’s be honest with you he’s wasted 5 years with u.”
In another, Smith texted her: “Thanks we both know where we stand and we intend to have a great life together and thanks for all your stuff by the way.”
Prosecutor Dennis said Mrs. Crook had not helped matters by responding to Smith’s messages, and in some messages she referred to her in derogatory terms.
Who came up with the plan to carry out the arson attack was unclear, but Muhammadi had thoughts of “extreme violence” in the past and had revealed them to colleagues, jurors heard.
Up to three months before the fire, Muhammadi told one workmate that he wanted to harm his wife, saying he was going to throw acid in her face to “f*** up her life.”
Prosecutor Dennis said Muhammadi spoke about setting fire to his wife’s house about three weeks before the fatal blaze, but the colleague did not take him seriously.