'I killed a person:' TLV court sentences Solomon Madmon to life for murder of family member

The Tel Aviv District Court has sentenced Solomon Madmon to life imprisonment for the aggravated murder of Yosef Yosefia, who was the father of Madmon's daughter-in-law. The court's decision also mandates that Madmon pay compensation to Yosefia's children, recognizing the devastating consequences of his actions on two families.

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The sentence reflects the extreme severity of Madmon’s actions, in which he armed himself, arrived at the home of the late Yosefia and took his life by shooting him near the entrance to his apartment, following prior planning, leaving behind two families that continue to bear the consequences of the tragedy.

Prosecutor Lihi Meltzman of the Tel Aviv District Attorney’s Office emphasized the extreme severity of Madmon's crime. She stated that Madmon armed himself, went to Yosefia's home, and fatally shot him near his apartment entrance after premeditation. Meltzman expressed hope that the sentence would provide some solace to Yosefia's family, acknowledging that while punishment cannot restore their loss, achieving justice in murder cases demonstrates the legal system's commitment to protecting life and holding perpetrators accountable.

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We hope that the sentence will provide Yosef Yosefia’s family with some measure of comfort after they were forced to cope with an unbearable loss and accompany the legal proceedings throughout. Even though the punishment cannot restore what was lost, ensuring justice in murder cases reflects the law enforcement system’s commitment to protecting the sanctity of life and sends a clear message: Anyone who chooses to take another person’s life will bear full responsibility for their actions and spend many years in prison.

The indictment detailed that the murder took place on June 18, 2022, following the separation of Madmon's son and Yosefia's daughter shortly before the incident. Madmon had sent Yosefia threatening messages, expressing anger over the family's dissolution. One message read, "Well done for praying while at the same time destroying families. I swear on my parents’ grave, you will pay." Another message questioned, "In God’s name, how do you live with this?" Madmon also referenced his past efforts to maintain the relationship between their children.

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Well done for praying while at the same time destroying families. I swear on my parents’ grave, you will pay.

On the day of the murder, Madmon contacted Herzl Shamami, an acquaintance of many years, to procure a handgun. Shamami provided him with a STAR semi-automatic pistol. Madmon then drove to Ramat Gan, waited near Yosefia's building, retrieved the handgun from his car, and proceeded to confront and shoot Yosefia outside his apartment.

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In God’s name, how do you live with this?