Trial delayed for NY man charged with beheading wife to allow for psychiatrist’s testimony

Trial delay for NY man charged with beheading wife

BUFFALO, N.Y. — The trial of a western New York man accused of beheading his wife and leaving her body at the Muslim-oriented television station they owned has been delayed until January.

A judge said Friday that the psychiatrist for Muzzammil Hassan (Moo-ZAHM’-mel HAH’-sahn) can testify that he had been diagnosed as a battered spouse who’d been physically and emotionally abused by his wife.

Judge Thomas Franczyk had barred the psychiatrist’s because attorneys had not filed proper notice. Now that she will be a witness, prosecutors asked for time to prepare.

Hassan is accused of killing Aasiya (AH’-see-ya) Hassan after she filed for divorce last year. They lived in Orchard Park, a Buffalo suburb.

Jury selection had been scheduled to start next week but is now set for Jan. 10.