The criminal case against Albrecht Muth concluded Wednesday when Judge Russell Canan sentenced him to 50 years in prison for the death of his 91-year-old wife, Viola Herms Drath. Muth, now 49, was convicted in January of first-degree premeditated murder with aggravating circumstances. On Wednesday, he participated in his sentencing via video conference as he … Read more →
Albrecht Muth was convicted Thursday of first-degree premeditated murder with aggravating circumstances in connection with the death of his 91-year-old wife, Viola Herms Drath. Jurors in the case delivered their verdict around 1:10 p.m. Thursday after deliberating for less than a day. “Our family is very pleased with today’s verdict,” Connie Drath Dwyer, Viola Drath’s … Read more →
Jurors began deliberating Wednesday in the high-profile case charging Georgetown man Albrecht Muth with the murder of his wife, socialite and journalist Viola Drath. Closing arguments were heard in the case Wednesday and both prosecution and defense attorneys asked jurors to consider Muth’s character as well as the nature of his twenty-year marriage with Drath. … Read more →
Both government and defense teams in the Albrecht Muth trial called their final witnesses Tuesday, wrapping up testimony in a trial that has lasted seven days but that took two and a half years to happen. Closing arguments from both sides are expected Wednesday morning at 10 a.m. Muth’s wife, Viola Drath, 91, was found … Read more →
Prosecutors in the case against Albrecht Muth have argued during trial that Muth married Viola Herms Drath, his wife of 23 years, for financial gain. Muth, 49, then murdered the 91-year-old Drath in her Georgetown home to accumulate more wealth from a forged inheritance document, prosecutors say. “We had a marriage of convenience,” Muth said … Read more →
Prosecutors in the case charging Albrecht Muth with the August 2011 death of his 91-year-old wife, Viola Herms Drath, have argued at trial that Drath’s murder was the culmination of years of domestic abuse by Muth. Thursday was the third day of testimony that is expected to last two to three weeks. Muth’s defense has … Read more →
Days after 91-year-old Viola Drath was found dead in her Georgetown home, her husband Albretch Muth wrote a series of emails to a man he’d just met through a personal ad. “Week was horrible. Start of week even worse,” said one. “Hope you’re well. Im [sic] not. Have you said your prayers?” said another. Muth, … Read more →
Jurors heard opening arguments Tuesday in the trial of Albrecht Muth, the 49-year-old man who dressed as an Iraqi general before his arrest, has claimed his wife’s murder was an assassination by Iranians, and has fasted for over a year, unable to attend his own trial. Muth, 49, is charged with first-degree murder with aggravating … Read more →
A jury was selected Monday for Albrecht Muth’s murder trial, which is expected to begin at 10 a.m. Tuesday with opening statements. On Monday, prosecutors and defense attorneys sifted through a pool of more than 50 potential jurors in a process that took more than four hours. The trial is expected to last two to … Read more →
One year into an on-again-off-again hunger strike, murder defendant Albrecht Muth is preparing for a trial that he insisted would never happen by chewing food that meets his “dietary regimen.” Muth is charged with the death of his wife Viola Drath, who was killed in August 2011. The trial has been delayed in part because … Read more →
Albrecht Muth’s trial on charges that he killed his wife, Viola Herms Drath, is still expected to take place January 6, despite Muth’s continued and prolonged fast. At a hearing on Wednesday, Judge Russell Canan asked Muth to end his fast. Muth replied that he would not. “I do not have the authority to break … Read more →
Albrecht Muth, the man charged with killing his 91-year-old wife Viola Herms Drath, has previously pleaded with the court to allow former U.S. General David Petraeus to testify in his murder trial to validate Muth’s military service, and to exonerate him of Drath’s murder. On Thursday, though, Judge Russell Canan denied a defense motion for … Read more →
For more than nine months a self-induced fast has prevented Albrecht Muth from attending court hearings in a case charging him with the death of his 91-year-old wife, Viola Herms Drath. On Thursday, Judge Russell Canan ordered that the case against Muth will proceed to trial without Muth present. “Mr. Muth you are knowingly, intelligibly, … Read more →
Albrecht Muth, the man charged with the 2011 death of his 91-year-old wife, Viola Herms Drath, on Thursday was denied the right to represent himself at trial. Judge Russell Canan denied the request due to Muth’s inability to attend court hearings because of medical conditions he endures from a nine month self-induced fast. “If you … Read more →
Prosecutors in the murder case against Albrecht Muth have argued that Muth be allowed to stand trial, despite his inability to attend court hearings. Proceeding with a trial without the defendant present would be highly unusual, but prosecutors have argued that Muth has forfeited his right to be present at trial by continuing a lengthy … Read more →
Albrecht Muth’s health has grown strong enough that he was released from United Medical Center and returned to the D.C. Jail, according to an email from a hospital official. The email, which was forwarded to prosectors, defense attorneys and Judge Russell Canan, said Muth was discharged from the hospital May 1. Muth, however, stated he … Read more →
On Thursday, Judge Russell Canan offered the clearest signs yet he intends to require enfeebled murder defendant Albrecht Muth to appear for trial by video link if his condition has not improved. Muth appeared by telephone Thursday morning for the hearing. His trial was postponed after a series of hearings over his health more than … Read more →
ABC 7 News aired video Monday of an interview with Albrecht Muth from his hospital bed at United Medical Center. Muth, lying in bed, with a gray, disheveled beard, told ABC’s Martha Raddatz he was the “convenient suspect” but was not home at the time of Drath’s death. He told Raddatz the Iranian agents had … Read more →
Albrecht Muth is scheduled to stand trial in December for the murder of his wife, Viola Drath, presumably in person. Court records show Judge Russell Canan spoke by phone with prosecutors and Muth’s defense attorneys Friday. The parties agreed to set a trial date for Dec. 2. Muth’s trial would have begun jury selection Monday … Read more →
Yielding to a persistent hunger strike, Judge Russell Canan relented Tuesday on a plan to bring Albrecht Muth to trial March 25 by video conference from United Medical Center. Muth has been fasting since late last year, when a series of mental competency hearings found him capable of standing trial in the 2011 death of … Read more →
Judge Russell Canan told Albrecht Muth Thursday he would have to appear by video link at his trial by video link, even though the move would be “uncharted territory” for the court system. The trial is slated to begin in just 10 days. Canan turned down a request by Assistant U.S. Attorney Glenn Kirschner to … Read more →
Weakened by a months-long fast and in critical condition at United Medical Center, Albrecht Muth on Thursday attempted to win back his right to represent himself at his upcoming murder trial. Muth spoke with the court by phone, saying that, in fasting, he intends to possibly die before Easter, will subpoena Gen. David Petraeus and … Read more →
Albrecht Muth’s ongoing hunger strike imperils his ability to act as his own attorney, Judge Russell Canan said Thursday. A mental health review found Muth competent to stand trial in December in connection with the death of his wife, Viola Drath. His declining health, though, jeopardizes his ability to represent himself, Canan said. Muth appeared … Read more →
Albrecht Muth is competent to stand trial for the murder of his wife, Viola Drath, Judge Russell Canan ruled Thursday. Canan also accepted Muth’s repeat request to defend himself at his trial, which is set to begin March 25. “There will be no trial in March,” Muth stated during an exchange with the court about … Read more →
On Wednesday, Dec. 5, psychologist Michele Godwin walked into Albrecht Muth’s room in Ward 9 of Saint Elizabeths Hospital, the District’s public psychiatric unit. Over the previous two days, both of them had sat through roughly 12 hours of testimony in D.C. Superior Court about whether or not Muth is competent to stand trial for … Read more →
The Georgetown home where elderly socialite Viola Drath was killed a little more than a year ago is being emptied of her possessions as part of an estate sale, the Washingtonian reports. Robert “Rocky” Huber, whose family handled the estate sale… says that the family asked that the sale be handled with a “very low … Read more →
The New York Times today outlines Albrecht Muth’s varied eccentricities and how Washington entertained, or believed, them nearly until Muth was arrested on suspicion of killing his wife at their Georgetown home. Muth, 48, is charged with first-degree murder in Viola Drath’s death. Prosecutors say he strangled his 91-year-old wife, then reported finding her dead … Read more →
Georgetown murder suspect Albrecht Muth still lacks the mental competency required to stand trial, a new report from his doctors at Saint Elizabeths states. Muth was scheduled to be arraigned, if he was found competent, on Thursday. Muth, 47, is suspected of first-degree murder in the death of his wife, 91-year-old Viola Drath. Muth has … Read more →
At a hearing today, Albrecht Muth, 47, a Georgetown man accused of first-degree murder in the death of his wife Viola Drath, 91, was found to be incompetent to stand trial because of mental health disorders. But the report from Saint Elizabeth’s left open the possibility that Muth could become competent before his October trial … Read more →
Further mental health evaluations were ordered Wednesday for Albrecht Muth, a Georgetown man accused of first-degree murder in the death of his elderly wife, Viola Drath. Muth, who was expected to be arraigned on the charge Wednesday, may be unfit to stand trial according to a report by the D.C. Department of Mental Health. Reports … Read more →
A grand jury has charged Albrecht Muth with first degree murder in connection with the death of his wife, Viola Drath, at their Georgetown home last August. Muth, 47, has maintained his innocence in several letters to the court. He will be expected to formally enter a plea when he is arraigned on the charge … Read more →
Fox5 and WJLA are both running an extensive AP story backgrounding Albrecht Muth and Viola Drath. AP writes: She was a 91-year-old expatriate journalist with a deep fluency in foreign affairs and a taste for fashion and art. Her husband, German-born and four decades her junior, boasted of wide-reaching connections in international circles, claimed to … Read more →
Albrecht Muth is currently mentally and physically incapable of representing himself against charges involving the death of 91-year-old Georgetown socialite Viola Herms Drath, Judge Russell Canan said today. Muth was not at today’s felony status hearing as he was hospitalized again last night. Canan said Muth will be in a grave situation if his current … Read more →
Albrecht Muth missed a court appointment Friday morning because he was in the hospital, Judge Russell Canan said. Muth, suspected in the death of his wife, Georgetown socialite Viola Drath, has been on a hunger strike since November. Canan said it wasn’t clear Friday morning whether or not Muth’s hospitalization was related to his hunger … Read more →
Murder suspect Albrecht Muth’s latest notice to DC Superior Court indicated that he was fasting and refusing all medical treatment. Muth, 47, is in custody at DC Jail on suspicion of killing his wife, Viola Drath, at their Georgetown townhome last August. At a Nov. 18 court appearance Muth told the court that, effective Sunday, … Read more →
Albrecht Muth will represent himself against a charge of second-degree murder in connection with the killing of his wife, Viola Drath, Georgetown Patch reports. Albrecht Muth appeared in DC Superior court Friday before Juge Russell F. Canan and asserted his right to represent himself in the felony murder case against him. During the hour-long status … Read more →
“God is great.” So begins Albrecht Muth’s latest letter to the court, to be submitted, by his account, into the record on Friday. In the seven-page handwritten letter, Muth protests the “tenor” of the government’s reply to his claims of military service with the Iraqi Army. He also claims never to have identified himself as … Read more →
Another roundup of coverage of the Albrecht Muth murder case is after the jump. Read what the Washington Post, WTOP, City Paper and others had to say. View “Albrecht Muth preliminary hearing links roundup” on Storify Read more →
“Kill all Americans.” “Bomb Georgetown.” “Hack into government computers and files.” Those are things Albrecht Muth allegedly threatened to do, according to testimony heard Friday. In a bizarre preliminary hearing Friday, MPD Detective James Wilson presented these statements that witnesses in the investigation attributed to the 47-year-old man accused of killing Viola Drath on Aug. … Read more →
Court records show that a preliminary hearing to review the evidence against Albrecht Muth has been postponed to Sept. 9. Muth was due to appear in court next Friday, Sept. 2. He is suspected of killing his wife, Viola Drath, in their Georgetown home earlier this month. Read more →
Albrecht Muth will be held at D.C. Jail at least until a preliminary hearing is held in his case on Sept. 2. Muth, 47, is accused of killing his wife, 91-year-old Viola Drath in their Georgetown townhouse late Thursday night or early Friday morning. Muth appeared in court Wednesday to be presented with the charge … Read more →
It was a “marriage of convinience,” Albrecht Muth told homicide investigators the day after his wife, Viola Drath, was found dead. Unemployed, he had been married to Drath for more than twenty years, during which time she paid him an allowance. An allowance, that Muth told investigators, had recently been reduced. Muth, 47, is expected … Read more →
MPD tonight announced that Albrecht G. Muth has been arrested in connection with the homicide of his wife, Viola Drath, at their shared Georgetown home. He is suspected of second-degree murder. Read MPD’s statement below. August 16, 2011 Arrest Made in the Homicide of Viola Drath ( Washington, DC)-Detective’s from the Metropolitan Police Departments Homicide … Read more →
The Washington Post, WUSA, NBC Washington, MyFoxDC, WTOP and WJLA are reporting that Viola Drath’s husband, Albrecht Gero Muth, was arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder Tuesday in connection with Drath’s death. Reports WJLA: Kris Van Cleave witnessed Metropolitan Police Officers handcuff and lead away Muth Tuesday evening outside of his Georgetown home at 3206 … Read more →
Another roundup of links and what we know about Viola Drath’s killing in Georgetown. The Washington Post, WUSA and WJLA have more details about Drath’s relationship with her husband, including emails he has sent this week saying he believes police think he is a suspect in the case. Wrote the Post: Drath obtained several protective … Read more →
Updated at 5:15 p.m. Monday From Georgetown Patch to Berner Zeitung, media outlets around the world are carrying the story of Viola Drath’s death inside her Georgetown rowhouse Friday. Drath, 91, was determined to be a homicide victim Saturday after an examination by DC’s medical examiner. Here’s a links roundup of coverage from close to … Read more →
A 91-year-old woman was a victim of homicide in Georgetown this weekend, MPD said in press release Sunday. Viola Drath was found dead Friday inside a building in the 3200 block of Q Street, NW. Officers were responding to a call for an unconscious person. On Saturday the death was declared a homicide. There was … Read more →
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