Judge: Man Accused Of Killing Wife Can't Be Lawyer

WASHINGTON (AP) — A judge says a German-born man charged with killing his 91-year-old wife in Washington cannot continue to represent himself.

Albrecht Muth sought to act as his own lawyer after firing his public defenders in November. But D.C. Superior Court Judge Russell F. Canan said Thursday that Muth, who has been starving himself and was recently hospitalized, does not appear physically capable of representing himself.

The 47-year-old Muth is accused of killing Viola Drath, a German socialite and journalist, inside their Georgetown home in August. Muth has denied guilt.

Detectives say Muth had scratches on his forehead after his wife was found, and also tried to present her relatives with a forged document stating that he was entitled to a portion of her estate after she died.