SAN JOSE
Suspect asks delay in missing-woman
case
Saturday, January 15, 2005
A San Jose architect accused of killing Jeanine Harms, a Los Gatos woman whose body has not been found since she disappeared more than three years ago, appeared in Santa Clara County court Friday and requested a delay on proceedings while he switches attorneys.
The suspect, Maurice Nasmeh, 40, remained in custody without bail. According to police, Nasmeh and Harms shared drinks the night of July 27, 2001, before retiring to her home. Nasmeh was reportedly the last one to see Harms alive.
Through an attorney, Nasmeh told a Santa Clara County judge he was changing his representation and was not prepared to enter a plea Thursday. Nasmeh is scheduled to return to court Feb. 18.
Nasmeh was arrested Dec. 16 following a 3 1/2-year investigation. Police said they had linked Nasmeh to the killing through yarn fibers found on a rug that had been taken from Harms' home when she vanished. The rug was found a short time later less than a mile from Nasmeh's house.
Forensic investigators later matched fibers from the yarn -- used by Harms for a hobby project -- with fibers found on the rug and in Nasmeh's vehicle.
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