Prosecutors In NY Beheading Question Defense Plans
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) -- The lawyer defending a New York man against charges he beheaded his estranged wife said he still intends to include claims at trial that his client was a battered spouse.
Lawyers in the case against Muzzammil Hassan were in Erie County Court Friday for a final conference in advance of Hassan's second-degree murder trial. Jury selection starts Monday.
Hassan's been laying the groundwork for a battered spouse defense, but prosecutors have questioned whether his lawyer has lined up any experts. Attorney Jeremy Schwartz told the judge he does have an expert but may choose not to call him, depending on the prosecution's case.
Aasiya Hassan was killed in 2009 inside the Muslim-American television station the couple ran.
(Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
