Minor murder trial delayed Monday

The murder trial of Kenneth Minor in the suicide-for-hire killing of Woodmere motivational speaker Jeffrey Locker was delayed Monday when a key defense expert had his flight to New York canceled.

Forensic pathologist Cyril Wecht, who is expected to counter a prosecution expert's claim that Locker's fatal stab wounds were not self-inflicted, will testify on Tuesday, followed by closing arguments.

Locker, 52, was found stabbed to death in his car in Harlem in 2009. Prosecutors concede that he arranged his death so that his family could collect on life insurance. Minor, who admits holding a knife while Locker impaled himself, says it was assisted suicide.

In brief proceedings on Monday, defense lawyer Daniel Gotlin read jurors a stipulation about Locker's research on funeral homes in the weeks before his death, and read two e-mails with family members that appeared to be discussing a planned suicide.

In one, Locker advised his wife on how to avoid paying creditors when he was gone. In the other, his son discussed Locker making a video for his young daughter to view when she married. Minor, 38, faces from 15 years to life in prison if he is convicted of murder.