German accused of killing and eating Internet acquaintance goes on trial

http://www.kfor.com/Global/story.asp?S=1548710
Kassel, Germany-AP --

A man accused of killing and eating an Internet
acquaintance is on trial for murder in Germany.

The man (Armin Meiwes) is accused of killing a
43-year-old man from Berlin in 2001 by stabbing
him in the throat.

Prosecutors say the killing was carried out with
the victim's consent, but they classify it as murder.

The defense calls it a mercy killing.

The suspect has confessed to the killing,
and he could face a life prison sentence if
he's convicted of murder.

Police tracked him down after a student in Austria
alerted them to an ad placed on the Internet seeking
a man willing to be killed and eaten.

A verdict is expected in February.