Without his testimony, defense rests in trial of Ohio doctor accused in wife’s cyanide death

Defense rests in Ohio doctor’s cyanide death trial

CLEVELAND — The defense in the trial of an Ohio doctor accused of murdering his wife with cyanide has rested without the defendant taking the stand.

The attorney for Dr. Yazeed Essa (EE’-suh) told a hushed Cuyahoga County courtroom Wednesday that the defense’s case was finished. The judge sent the jury home and directed them to return Thursday morning.

The defense team didn’t specify why Essa didn’t testify. Attorneys are under an order barring them from commenting.

Essa has pleaded not guilty in the death of 38-year-old Rosemarie Essa. She died Feb. 24, 2005, after taking a cyanide-lace calcium tablet and crashing her SUV into an oncoming car near the couple’s home.

The prosecution has said Essa poisoned her to free himself from a loveless marriage.