LOS ANGELES (KTLA) -- Closing arguments begin on Monday in the trial of a former Lomita chef accused of killing his wife and then cooking her body to dispose of it.
David Viens, 49, has pleaded not guilty to killing his wife, Dawn,
who was 39 when she vanished in October 2009. He could face up to life in prison if convicted.
Last week, Viens told the judge he had lost confidence in
his attorney and wanted to represent himself.
The judge rejected Viens' request, which was made outside the jury's
presence and before the defense's last witness testified.
The judge ruled that Viens' attorney, Fred McCurry, had represented him competently and that it was too late in the proceedings for Viens to take over his defense.
