Mich. serial stabbing suspect convicted of murder

Mich. serial stabbing suspect convicted of murder

FLINT, Mich. (AP) — A man suspected of stabbing 14 men in and around Flint, Mich., two summers ago has been convicted of first-degree murder in the first case to go to trial.

A Genesee County jury convicted Elias Abuelazam today of fatally stabbing 49-year-old Arnold Minor in August 2010. Minor’s blood was found on Abuelazam’s clothes and in his SUV. Abuelazam was arrested trying to board a plane to his native Israel.

Investigators say Abuelazam asked for directions or help with car trouble before stabbing his victims. Five of the 14 Flint-area victims died. Abuelazam also is charged with stabbing someone in Toledo, Ohio, and is suspected in attacks in Leesburg, Va.

Abuelazam’s attorneys argued he was insane that summer. A psychiatrist said he was compelled by violent delusions.