Defense gets turn in Mich. serial stabbings trial  ED WHITE
Associated Press Published:  FLINT, Mich. (AP) -- The defense is
getting its turn in the first murder trial stemming from a
series of summer stabbings in a Michigan community in 2010.
Attorneys for Elias Abuelazam (EE'-lee-us ah-BOOL'-ah-zahm) are
prepared to argue Thursday that he was mentally ill at the time
and didn't fully understand what he was doing. The Israeli
immigrant is charged with the murder of Arnold Minor.  Minor's
blood was found in Abuelazam's SUV and on his pants and shoes,
authorities say. Fourteen people were stabbed in and around
Flint two years ago, and five died.  Experts say an insanity
defense is difficult because jurors still can convict someone of
murder even if they also believe there was mental illness.
Prosecutors have their own experts to rebut evidence that
Abuelazam was mentally ill in 2010.