Essa changes mind, doesn't take stand

CLEVELAND - There were surprising developments in the trial of a former doctor charged with poisoning his wife.

Yazeed Essa was reportedly leaning towards taking the stand in his own defense. Everyone at the courthouse was ready to hear Essa’s testimony, but at the last minute, his attorneys rested their case.

"Mr. Essa, it is my understanding that you potentially plan to take the witness stand this afternoon. I want to remind you of your Fifth Amendment right to remain silent,” Judge Deena Calabrese said before the court took a break for lunch on Wednesday.

Earlier trial testimony stated that Essa gave his wife calcium on the day she died. Essa fled the country the following month.

Essa’s brother, Firas Essa, testified that Essa even admitted to him that he killed his wife.

Both sides will give their closing statements on Thursday.