Muslim television channel chief charged for beheading wife

New York, Feb.17 (ANI): Muzzammil Hassan, the founder of Bridges TV, has been charged with murder in the beheading of his wife, Aasiya Hassan, in Orchard Park, New York.

Aasiya, 37, who had filed for divorce, was found dead on Thursday at the offices of Bridges TV. Muzzammil, 44, has been charged with second-degree murder.

"She was very much aware of the potential ramification her filing for divorce might have. But she wanted to proceed despite the potential for it to erupt," said attorney Elizabeth DiPirro, whose law firm, Hogan Willig, represented Aasiya.

DiPirro said the couple had "physical confrontations off and on" for their entire eight-year marriage that had recently escalated to death threats.

The grounds for divorce were "cruel and inhuman treatment," DiPirro said, referring to mulitple prior incidents of abuse. She declined to elaborate.

"We were worried about the situation becoming volatile," DiPirro said.

The couple had two children, ages 4 and 6, DiPirro said. Muzzammil Hassan also has two children, ages 17 and 18, from a previous marriage.

DiPirro said Aasiya was a brave mother who sought a better life for her young children.

Orchard Park Police Chief Andrew Benz said authorities continue to search for the murder weapon.

Asked if the slaying is being investigated as an honor killing, Benz replied, "It's safe to say we're investigating all the angles we can, all the possibilities in conjunction with the district attorney's office. We're looking at whatever we might come across." (ANI)