Man Accused of Beheading: I Was the Victim

(CBS/AP)  A western New York man accused of beheading his wife at the Muslim-oriented television station they founded will claim he was a victim of years of abuse at home.

Muzzammil Hassan was in a Buffalo courtroom Friday, where he fired the lawyer who has been representing him for nearly a year and hired a new one with a different strategy.

New lawyer Frank Bogulski says he'll pursue a battered-person defense.

Hassan's previous lawyer had planned to argue emotional distress prompted the February killing of 37-year-old Aasiya Hassan in offices of the suburban Buffalo television station.

Prosecutors say the case has dragged on too long and they want the judge to bar any psychiatric defense.

The Hassans lived in Orchard Park - a well-off Buffalo suburb that hadn't seen a homicide since 1986 - and started Bridges TV there in 2004 with the message of developing understanding between North America and the Middle East and South Asia. The network, available across the U.S. and Canada, was believed to be the first English-language cable station aimed at the rapidly growing Muslim demographic.

Orchard Park Police Chief Andrew Benz said last year that his officers had responded to domestic incidents involving the couple, most recently Feb. 6, the day Mo Hassan was served with the divorce papers and an order of protection.

"I've never heard him raise his voice," said Paul Moskal, who became friendly with the couple while he was chief counsel for the FBI in Buffalo. Moskal would answer questions in forums aired on Bridges TV that were intended to improve understanding between Muslim-Americans and law enforcement.

"His personal life kind of betrayed what he tried to portray publicly," Moskal said.

On Feb. 12, 2009, Hassan went to a police station and told officers his wife was dead at the TV studio.

"We found her laying in the hallway the offices were off of," Benz said. Aasiya Hassan's head was near her body.

"I don't know if (the method of death) does mean anything," said the chief, who would not discuss what weapon may have been used. "We certainly want to investigate anything that has any kind of merit. It's not a normal thing you would see."

[CouricBreaksCorporation]

This Muslim man was praised by the left wing media as a "moderate" Muslim. I normally don't believe them. But in this instance I have no reason NOT to believe them. Allah Akbar.

[CouricBreaksCorporation]

I'm wondering if this wife had her genitals mutilated in a manner that over 75% of the woman in Egypt are mutilated. It's just the Islamic way. Mutilate the women's genitals and if she later gives you any lip (or doesn't- no pun intended) mutilate her neck (or is it her head?).

Honor killing. It's the Islamic way. Mohammad (Messenger of God) tells us this.

Oh, yeah. You also get to rape these Muslim women with near impunity and under Sharia law you can also invite at least 2 of your friends to watch. Just make sure you don't invite 3 -- or is it 4 other men to watch. Unless, of course, they are not Muslim men in which case their word doesn't and theoretically you can invite as many as you want and you will still get away with rape under Sharia law.

BTW, if you like the idea of marrying a 14 year old girl(s) you're going to love Sharia law. Mohammad (Messenger of God) says it's ok. Woo woo. I think Mohammad (Messenger of God) may have had the hots for some young girl. But it's all good. Allah said it's all good. Oh yeah... Sooo goooood.

[babooph]

Nagged husbands do not get away with murder like berated wives...

[brianbwb-2009]

But you must admit, the current state of affairs relevant to your post was legislated by politicians you voted for over the years, so why are you now complaining?

[texas_liberal]

there is a double standard...
woman assaults man. man goes to jail.
man assaults woman. man goes to jail.

[NowBeWithThat]

'Abuse' to this islamic lunatic is dinner not being hot enough or too hot, or not to his liking. Women in muslim countries are killed for less.

Imagine what that woman must have suffered.

If this guy gets off, there's no justice in America.

[brianbwb-2009]

You are so full of that fake centuries-old BS that it must be coming out of your pets noses.

You have no idea what goes on in "Muslim countries" you obviously lack the intelligence to be able to read and educate yourself before spouting the same ignorant false stereotypes your kind spout about anyone not of the same neanderthal stripe as yourself.

[newmark3]

It is obvious who the victim was. A normal person would have file for divorce, I don't beleive the bullsh#t. He deserves to ROT in jail for the heidous crime. poor lady...

[bciss]

Well good luck with that defense sparky. Smaller and physically weaker people from societies which tend to dominate women are so often brutal abusers after all. Lobbing their head off is also really typical of meek and mild poor put upon souls. What a piece of work.

[AtLasOn1Kl733]

Is this guy out of his mind or what? His defense is a joke and so is the headline. No one in their right state of mind would believe that bs especially in the USA.

[thesevenveils]

Give me a bloody break. IS ANYONE going to believe a Muslim man was beaten and battered by a lowly second class female?
In his home country, that'd be a crime in itself.

[brianbwb-2009]

You know nothing about his home country, yet seek to label everyone in it with the same label you put upon him.

OK Klem let's dance.

Remember that "White" terrorist the other day that killed 8 people, and had his house rigged with explosives?

Well according to your logic, that means you are also a terrorist, and thus not to be believed.

Remember Ted Bundy, and John Wayne Gacy? By your own logic, you are also a serial killer and a child murderer, and thus are not to be believed.

Remember George Bush? By your own logic, you are a genocidal maniac, and a liar.

[irreverent1-2009]

His story doesn't wash. The real way to change their mindset is to prioritize the education of Islamic women. Forget the men.

[brianbwb-2009]

Educate people who are already more highly educated than the so-called "educators"?

That is a funny one.

Sooner or later you will come to realize that not everyone wants to "be like you".

Even you.

[mikegetzin]

It looks like an honor killing to me by method - it's capital murder and he should get the death penalty. No one deserves a death like his wife suffered regardless of their circumstances.