"Odd and Prickly" Reiser: Wife Not Capable Of Love

Hans Reiser testified in his own defense yesterday in the trial accusing him of the murder of his wife, Nina.

Testimony has been offered that Reiser, a successful computer engineer, has Asperger’s Syndrome, a condition on the autism spectrum.

He was described as “odd and prickly,” by associates. He often speaks in a monotone voice, but in court he made attempts to modulate his voice and maintain eye contact with his attorney. He also often rambled on about inconsequential issues, such as the details of his Linux-based file search system. He often had to be brought back to the issue at hand by the attorneys.

Reiser said that the romance had gone out of the relationship that his wife, though craving love and attention, “was not capable of love.”

His testified that in September of 2006 he was having a discussion about custody of the kids with his wife when she abruptly ended the talk, walked out the door, and was never seen again.

Her van was found at a supermarket with spoiled groceries inside. No body has been found in the case. She is presumed dead, but the defense maintains she could still be alive.

He is expected to testify for a few days before cross examination.