Accused Ax Murderer's Testimony To Put Defense's Insanity Claim To Test

Accused ax murderer's testimony to put defense's insanity claim to test

By AMY SMITH

NEWS STAFF REPORTER

The insanity defense being used by accused ax murderer Morris Abrahams was to be put to its first test this morning when the 42-year-old defendant takes the witness stand.

The claim of insanity - considered one of the most difficult defenses to persuade a jury to accept - will rely heavily on the testimony of Abrahams and his psychiatrist, Dr. Thomas N. Cross of Ann Arbor.

Abrahams, 42, is charged with first degree murder in the slaying of his estranged wife on Sept. 4, 1984. Virginia Abrahams, a 36-year-old University of Michigan graduate, died of severe head wounds as a result of two crushing blows from a 25-pound wood-splitter, testimony has revealed.

But before the defense was to continue its case this morning, a prosecution witness, Pittsfield Township Police Detective Donald O’Farrell, was to be called to the stand. O’Farrell was unavailable last week to testify at the Washtenaw County Circuit Court trial, according to Assistant Prosecutor David Lady.

On the defense witness list, Hugo Mack, an assistant public defender, was to be the first person called to the stand this morning by attorney Glynn Barnett. Testimony had not begun by The News’ deadline this morning.

While Abrahams claims he was legally insane when the murder was committed - a crime witnessed by the Abrahams’ 12-year-old son, two police officers and several neighbors - Lady argues the slaying was deliberate and pre-meditated.

One motive Abrahams had for the slaying, according to the prosecution, was that Virginia Abrahams had recently filed for divorce and there was a likelihood that her husband would lose custody of his son.