Marvin appeals life imprisonment for murdering wife Mary Grace

Marvin Vargas, now known as Yoosuf after converting to Islam, has appealed the life imprisonment sentence issued by the Criminal Court for the murder of his wife, Filipino nurse Mary Grace Oned Pineda.

Court officials confirmed that Marvin has filed an appeal at the High Court, though it remains unclear whether the case will be accepted for review. His girlfriend, Haleemath Lamha Abdul Rahman, who was convicted as an accomplice, received 15 years in prison for her role in the killing and for two misdemeanor charges: unauthorized use of another person’s property and carrying out an act without permission.

During sentencing at the Criminal Court, prosecutors stressed that Marvin was not only Mary’s husband but also the father of her daughter and a nurse himself. They argued that the murder showed no mercy, compassion or sympathy, and requested the maximum penalty under the law. Marvin was convicted of intentional homicide, with the court finding that he killed Mary in October 2021.

Marvin converted to Islam while in custody and formally notified the Islamic Ministry of his name change to Yoosuf.