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Testimony Concludes: Reiser Decries Murder Case as 'Silly,' Demands New Attorney

By Ryan Singel, Kevin Poulsen, Sarah Lai Stirland, Kim Zetter, and David Kravets

OAKLAND, California -- Hans Reiser concluded his 11th and likely final appearance on the stand at his murder trial here Monday afternoon, decrying as "silly" allegations that he killed his wife and demanding a new attorney.

"This whole thing is silly," the 44-year-old Reiser testified as testimony in the murder-mystery concluded in Alameda County Superior Court.

"What do you mean, 'The whole thing?'" defense attorney William DuBois asked his client on the stand.

Moments later, the open source developer replied: "The whole case."

The judge later called the defendant "rude" for making what he termed a "mockery" of the proceedings.

Reiser is on trial facing accusations he murdered his wife, Nina Reiser, in 2006. The 31-year-old woman's last known whereabouts was his house in the Oakland hills, where she dropped off the divorcing couple's two young children for the Labor Day weekend.

She has not been seen since. The defendant claims she abandoned their kids after he accused her of embezzling from his Namesys software company.

Closing arguments are scheduled for Tuesday morning. Trial began Nov. 6 and saw more than 60 witnesses.

But the defendant wanted to keep testifying, and demanded that his divorce attorney represent him instead of his two criminal defense attorneys.

After jurors were excused for the day, Reiser got down from the witness stand and spoke from the defense table, explaining that the odds were stacked against him and that he wanted to call more witnesses and rebut others.

His defense attorney, William DuBois, told the judge he had spoken with his client at length, and decided to rest against his wishes.

"Mr. Reiser, what do you want to say?" Alameda County Superior Court Judge Larry Goodman asked.

Hans Reiser started reading from what looked like dozens of pages of notes.

"There is a tendency in cases of this kind that people want to help out by making things up," he said. "People make up testimony."

Prosecutor Paul Hora interjected.

"Your honor, forgive me for interrupting. He's got about 75 pages," Hora said, alleging the defendant was trying to "delay the trial."

"The defense has not rested," Reiser said.

Goodman told the defendant that closing arguments commence here early Tuesday.

"You're not going to delay this trial," an angry judge chided the defendant.

"You are rude. You are arrogant. There are not enough words in the English language to describe the way you are," Judge Goodman said. He added Reiser has "made a mockery of these proceedings."

The judge continued: "You have lawyers. I'm tired of listening to you talk."

Earlier in the day, a computer forensics specialist testified that the authorities found no incriminating evidence on two hard drives Reiser hid from police and reluctantly turned over two weeks ago.

"Nobody in their right mind gives their hard drives to the government," he said.

Full post as published by Threat Level on April 14, 2008 (boomark / email).