WASHINGTON (AP) A judge is not letting a German man charged with killing his elderly, socialite wife act as his own lawyer.
Online court records show Judge Russell Canan on Thursday denied Albrecht Muth's motion to act as his own lawyer, though Muth can refile his request. The judge also denied Muth's request to move the trial, which is scheduled to start in December in Washington.
Muth is charged in the August 2011 beating and strangulation death of 91-year-old Viola Drath inside the couple's home. He has pleaded not guilty.
Muth has claimed to be a brigadier general in the Iraqi army and has said his wife was killed in an Iranian hit job.
Muth has delayed court proceedings through periodic refusals to eat and remains hospitalized. He attended Thursday's conference by phone.
