Defendant's Video Statement In George Weber Murder Admitted Into Evidence

John Kathehis

A video in which JOHN KATEHIS, the teenager accused of the murder of veteran radio newsman GEORGE WEBER, said that WEBER was killed in a struggle over a knife after WEBER gave him beer and cocaine was admitted into evidence in KATEHIS' trial WEDNESDAY.  

The video, a written statement by the defendant, and a witness' identification from a lineup and photos were admitted in BROOKLYN Supreme Court over objections by KATEHIS' attorney JEFFREY SCHWARTZ.

WEBER, an anchor for ABC NEWS RADIO and a former CITADEL Talk WABC-A/NEW YORK newsman, was found stabbed to death at his apartment in BROOKLYN on MARCH 20. 2009.  KATEHIS told police in the video that he had gotten "super-paranoid" from the drugs and alcohol and went for the knife when WEBER pulled it out, and that in the struggle, WEBER yanked the knife back and "it jabs him in the neck."  KATEHIS, 18 at the time, said he met WEBER through a CRAIGSLIST ad for sex.

Jury selection for KATEHIS' trial is scheduled to start TODAY.

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