The attorney for suspected serial killer Elias Abuelazam plans to mount an insanity defense and is asking for a change of venue, according to court motions.
In the motions, filed in Genesee County, Mich., Circuit Court, Abuelazam's lawyer says he plans to have a forensic psychiatrist testify that Abuelazam was insane at the time of the attacks, WTOP reported.
Erik S. Lesser, APThe attorney for Elias Abuelazam, shown in an Atlanta courtroom in August, is reportedly planning and insanity defense for his client.The documents indicate attorney Brian Morley has requested a psychiatric test for his client but, according to WTOP, acknowledges "Abuelazam has not retained witnesses to support his claim of insanity."
Abuelazam, 34, was extradited from Atlanta in August, after he wasarrested while attempting to board a flight to Israel.
A Christian Arab from the Israeli city of Ramla, east of Tel Aviv, Abuelazam is suspected of committing 14 attacks on men in Michigan, Ohio and Virginia, killing five in Michigan. He has beencharged with three open counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder in Michigan, and an attempted murder in Ohio.
Abuelazam's attorney is also requesting a change of venue. Morley said pretrial publicity has made it impossible for his client to get a fair trial.
"Mr. Abuelazam has been repeatedly referred to as the 'Serial Stabber,' " Morley said, according to WTOP.
A Genesee County judge has yet to rule on the motions.
Abuelazam is being held in isolation at the Genesee County Jail. If convicted, he faces a possible sentence of life in prison without parole.
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