CAROLYN THOMPSON, Associated Press Writer
BUFFALO, N.Y. – The founder of an Islam-oriented television station who is accused of beheading his wife was abused by her for years, according to his lawyer, who said Friday he will pursue a defense combining that justification as well as psychiatric claims.
Defense attorneys’ claims that Muzzammil Hassan was victimized by his wife drew a blunt response at a hearing Friday from District Attorney Frank Sedita.
“He chopped her head off,” Sedita said. “He chopped her head off. That’s all I have to say about Mr. Hassan’s apparent defense that he was a battered spouse.”
Hassan, 45, is charged with one count of second-degree murder in the Feb. 12 death of 37-year-old Aasiya Hassan at the offices of Bridges TV, the station the Pakistan-born couple established in 2004 to counter negative stereotypes of Muslims.