Binghamton, NY (WBNG Binghamton) Testimony in the murder trial of Abdusalam al-Zahrani, 45, was heard in Broome County Court prior the February proceedings.
al-Zahrani is the Saudi man accused of stabbing a Binghamton University professor to death in 2009.
A witness for the defense, John Roby, 32, will be out of the state next month, which is why his testimony is being recorded for a jury in advance to al-Zahrani’s February trial.
Roby was a colleague of al-Zahrani and had a few classes together.
On stand Friday morning in Broome County Court, he describes their relationship as cordial and friendly.
During part of 2009, al-Zahrani went of of state for research.
When he returned in September that year, Roby says, “al-Zahrani seemed distracted, less friendly, cold and withdrawn.”
But he was not aware of issues in al-Zahrani’s personal life and had never known al-Zahrani to be threatening.
al-Zahrani’s accused of intentionally stabbing Binghamton University professor, Richard Antoun, on campus in December, 2009.
Antoun later died from his wounds.
