As defense attorneys argued their case in Hassan Sapry’s murder trial Tuesday, those in the Belknap County Superior Court courtroom heard Sapry’s brother, Mohamed, describe the brutality of growing up under two dictators — first Saddam Hussein in Iraq and then Bashar al-Assad in Syria.

Hassan Sapry is accused of first- and second-degree murder and several other charges in the killing of Wilfred Guzman Sr., 58, in Laconia in April of 2019. Hassan Sapry and Guzman were friends and neighbors, but the pair got into an argument. Sapry has admitted to killing Guzman, but claims he was not sane when the violence occurred inside Guzman’s home.

The trial is on hold as the defense’s next witness, Dr. Eric Drogin, will not be available until Thursday. The case will likely go to the jury next week,

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