Arraignment Delayed for Suspects in Alleged Murder-for-Hire of Woodland Hills Doctor

The arraignment for three suspects charged in the alleged murder-for-hire of Woodland Hills doctor Hamid Mirshojae was delayed Monday in Los Angeles. The victim’s ex-wife, Ahang Mirshojae, 53, of Calabasas, along with Evan Hardman, 41, of Tomball, Texas, and Sarallah Jawed, 26, of Canoga Park, face charges in the Aug. 23 slaying of the 61-year-old physician.

Dr. Mirshojae was ambushed outside his medical clinic in the 5900 block of Topanga Canyon Boulevard as he walked to his SUV. Authorities allege the killing was orchestrated by his ex-wife for financial gain. Ahang Mirshojae appeared in court Monday, but Hardman and Jawed were not present. Superior Court Judge Susan De Witt rescheduled the arraignment for all three defendants to Wednesday morning.

Ahang Mirshojae was arrested Dec. 12, with Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman alleging she hired a hitman to kill her ex-husband. The murder charge includes special circumstances of lying in wait and murder for financial gain. She also faces a felony count of assault with a deadly weapon for an alleged baseball bat attack on Dr. Mirshojae on May 3.

Hardman and Jawed are similarly charged with murder for financial gain and lying in wait. Hardman is additionally accused of personally discharging a firearm and has a history of robbery convictions dating back to 2002. Jawed allegedly drove Hardman out of state after the killing.

A fourth defendant, Ashley Rose Sweeting, 40, of Reseda, pleaded not guilty Dec. 12 to being an accessory after the fact. She is accused of driving Hardman to and from the scene and remains jailed on $1 million bail. Her next court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 5.

The case has drawn significant attention due to the alleged involvement of the victim’s ex-wife and the brutal nature of the crime. Authorities have not yet indicated whether they will seek the death penalty for the defendants.