BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) - The founder of a Muslim-oriented New York television station was convicted Monday of beheading his wife in 2009 in the studio the couple had opened to counter negative stereotypes of Muslims after the Sept. 11 terror attacks.
Muzzammil "Mo" Hassan never denied that he killed Aasiya Hassan inside the suburban Buffalo station the couple established to promote cultural understanding. A jury on Monday rejected his claim he was the victim of spousal abuse.
Hassan acted as his own lawyer during the trial in Buffalo. In Erie County Court, he said nothing when the verdict was read. His reaction was blocked from view by a line of sheriff's deputies and court officers.
The Pakistan-born Hassan had been served with divorce papers a week before his wife's body was found stabbed and decapitated at the offices of Bridges TV in Orchard Park, where the couple also lived. Hassan was arrested after walking into the Orchard Park police station Feb. 12, 2009, and calmly telling officers his wife was dead.
Police said officers previously had responded to domestic incidents involving the couple.
The Hassans had two children, then ages 4 and 6, who were outside in a van when Hassan spoke with police. After the killing, the children were sent to live with his wife's mother in Pakistan, his attorneys have said.
Hassan also had two teenagers from a previous marriage.