ORCHARD PARK (AP) - A former Western New York television executive is about to go on trial on charges he beheaded his estranged wife.

Muzzammil "Mo" Hassan has been laying the groundwork for a battered spouse defense since he directed Orchard Park police to Aasiya Hassan's remains nearly two years ago. That includes sending letters to reporters to stress that men can be domestic violence victims.

Jury selection in his second-degree murder trial began Monday in Erie County Court in Buffalo.

Hassan and his wife operated Bridges TV, which they launched to counter negative media portrayals of Muslims after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.