Prosecutor says 2 plotted to torture, kill women; defense says no plan to carry out fantasies
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Prosecutors say a former New York City high school librarian and a New Jersey man were systematic and deadly serious about plots to abduct, rape, torture and kill women and young girls.
Closing arguments began Tuesday in the federal conspiracy trial of Michael Van Hise and Trenton auto mechanic Christopher Asch.
The defense says the men were only sharing twisted fantasies they would never out. But Assistant U.S. Attorney Hadassa (hah-DAH'-sah) Waxman told jurors that "none of this was fake."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Hadassa says the men scouted locations to dump bodies and Van Hise sent Asch photos of possible targets and information on where they lived. She also says Asch bought a stun gun, a whip, handcuffs and other implements.
The case grew from an investigation involving a police officer accused of plotting cannibalism.