Patrick Stevenson has been arrested in Syria and charged with premeditated murder. SuppliedPatrick Stevenson has been arrested in Syria and charged with premeditated murder. Syrian investigators allege Mr Stevenson shot dead 40-year-old Australian citizen Abdullah Glen Charles Burgess on December 31. Mr Stevenson has been in a crowded jail ever since on a premeditated murder charge – an offence that carries the death penalty. If convicted, Mr Stevenson could avoid the death penalty if Mr Burgess’s widow grants him forgiveness or accepts blood money.