Lawyer: Islam Not an Issue in NY Beheading Case

Wednesday, February 18, 2009 7:21 PM

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- A Muslim-American television executive accused of decapitating his wife remained jailed without bail Wednesday as his lawyer dismissed suggestions that culture played a role in the crime.

Muzzammil "Mo" Hassan, 44, appeared subdued during a brief appearance Wednesday in Orchard Park Village Court, where his lawyer waived his right to a felony hearing.

The beheaded body of Aasiya Hassan, 37, was found last week at the offices of Bridges TV, the Muslim-American television network the couple started to promote understanding between cultures. Hassan was arrested after walking into the police station in this Buffalo suburb Feb. 12 and telling officers his wife was dead.

Orchard Park Police Chief Andrew Benz said his officers had responded to domestic incidents involving the couple in the past. Aasiya Hassan had her husband served with divorce papers a week before her death.

"Culture, religion doesn't play a role," said defense attorney James Harrington, reacting to speculation that the crime may have been an "honor killing." Experts say such killings are still accepted among fanatical Muslim men, including in the couple's native Pakistan, who feel betrayed by their wives.

"It's not an issue in this case," said Harrington, who described the burly businessman as almost in shock.

"He has an almost blunted affect. He's having difficulty coping with this," the lawyer said.

The Islamic Society of North America issued a statement of condolence to Buffalo's Muslim community and urged leaders to take a strong stand against domestic violence.

"Women who seek divorce from their spouses because of physical abuse should get full support from the community and should not be viewed as someone who has brought shame to herself or her family," the statement by Imam Mohamed Hagmagid Ali said.

Erie County Assistant District Attorney Colleen Curtin Gable said Hassan is being held without bail pending possible grand jury action. He is charged with second-degree murder.

Security was tightened at the courthouse, with officers explaining that emotions had the potential to run high.

Bridges TV operated on television providers across the U.S. and Canada, but it stopped broadcasting after the killing. On Wednesday, the station's interim general manager, Hunaid Baliwala, issued a statement saying the staff did not have access to its facilities. Baliwala indicated the station would return to the air, however, in honor of Aasiya Hassan, who got the idea to start it while listening to post-Sept. 11 media reports.

"The two biggest issues that we currently face at Bridges TV are the negative publicity generated by this domestic violence incident and the ongoing funding constraint," Baliwala's statement said.

Nancy Sanders, a former news director at the station, said Aasiya Hassan "didn't want her children to be brought up in a world where every mention of a Muslim had some sort of terrorist connotation to it."

"This woman in particular fought so hard to change the image of Muslims in America," she said, "and how does she die? This brutal act at the hand of her husband. It just stuns me."

http://www.newsmax.com/us/wife_beheaded ... 83199.html