A Decade After the Murder: State to Compensate Tehila Nagar's Family for Investigation Failures
Nearly ten years after the murder of Tehila Nagar, her family will receive 140,000 shekels from the state. A court has approved a settlement agreement concluding a lawsuit over serious investigation failures.
A decade after the murder, the legal saga of the Nagar family has reached its conclusion. Nearly ten years after Tehila Nagar (of blessed memory) was murdered near the moshav of Migdal, her family will receive 140,000 shekels from the state as part of a settlement for a lawsuit filed over serious failures in the investigation of their daughter's death. Judge Avim Barkai of the Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court granted the settlement agreement the force of a court judgment.
In 2016, 31-year-old kibbutz member Tehila Nagar was murdered by her partner, Raed Rushrush, near her home. Following the investigation, the Northern District Attorney's Office filed an indictment for murder. However, due to significant investigative failures, the prosecution reached a plea bargain with the defendant, resulting in a conviction for manslaughter. The Nazareth District Court sentenced him to 19 years in prison.
The original indictment detailed the brutal nature of the crime:
«Rushrush began attacking the deceased while she attempted to defend herself. He pushed her into bushes on the eastern side of the parking lot, where he strangled her and struck her forcefully in the face until she lost consciousness. He then dragged her to the northern side of the parking lot and slammed a 30 kg curb stone onto her head, crushing her skull. After the murder, the defendant left the scene and returned home in his jeep».
Following the conviction, the Nagar family sought legal assistance to sue the state for negligence. Adv. Galit Lubetzky, an expert in representing crime victims, was appointed to represent the family.
Adv. Lilach White, director of the homicide victims department in the Haifa district of legal aid, stated:
«Beyond the severe trauma the family experienced due to Tehila's murder, they suffered secondary trauma resulting from a negligent investigation. This settlement is a 'small light' within the great darkness and heavy loss her loved ones are enduring».
Adv. Galit Lubetzky added: «Finally, the Nagar family is receiving recognition for the injustice caused to them. We welcome the court's decision and the compensation the family will receive».
Yigal Nagar, Tehila's father, said: «We knew from the start that we would not give up or remain silent about the serious failures. Fortunately, it was acknowledged that due to these errors, the defendant is not serving a life sentence. The funds we receive will be dedicated to commemorating our dear daughter by renovating a club for soldiers and youth, to be named FAME—Tehila in English».
