Allegedly homicidal programmer submits to cross-examination
Linux kernel contributor Hans Reiser is accused of murdering his ex-wife Nina Reiser (née Sharanova), the mother of their two children. Today in Oakland, prosecutor Paul Hora finally got a chance to cross-examine the defendant. Reiser's statements this afternoon were "evasive and confrontational" according to Wired's David Kravets. A sampling:
"Was there a sudden quarrel?" Hora asked. "No." "Did you assault her?" "No." "Did she provoke you in any manner whatsoever?" "No. We did however have a contentious divorce, as we discussed.... I certainly didn't kill Nina. I did not murder Nina," the defendant added, without a question being posed.
Reiser took the stand against the advice of his lawyer, William DuBois, and earlier this month suggested that his his ex-wife stole $150,000 and fled to her native Russia. (Photo by AP/Laura A Oda)