Hisham Abugharbieh was arraigned Monday in the deaths of Nahida Bristy and Zamil Limon. Jury selection is tentatively set for November 2027.
TAMPA, Fla. — The man accused of killing two USF students pleaded not guilty Monday during his arraignment in Hillsborough County court.
Hisham Abugharbieh, 27, is charged with stabbing Nahida Bristy and Zamil Limon to death on April 16 at the apartment he shared with Limon. He faces a seven-count indictment, including two counts of first-degree premeditated murder.
During Monday’s hearing, Abugharbieh waived his appearance and did not appear in court. His attorneys entered the not guilty pleas on his behalf.
“We’ll waive formal reading and plead not guilty,” his defense attorney said in court.
Abugharbieh has not appeared in person in court since his arrest, though he previously appeared by video from jail during his first appearance hearing.
A judge also set a tentative trial schedule, with jury selection currently expected to begin Nov. 3, 2027. The judge noted the date is flexible and can be adjusted as the case progresses.
Abugharbieh waived his right to a speedy trial. State Attorney Suzy Lopez said both the prosecution and defense will need significant time to review the evidence in the case.
“There are volumes, reams, there’s a couple of terabytes of discovery that both sides need to through so the next steps now are just digging into the discovery,” Lopez said.
Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty, a move supported by the families of Limon and Bristy.
Lopez said her office has remained in contact with the victims’ families in Bangladesh throughout the case.
“The beauty of Zoom is I’ve been able to speak with them a couple of times and so we keep in touch wit them,” Lopez said.
Abugharbieh’s next court hearing is scheduled for Dec. 10 for a status conference.