San Diego

Charles Russ, testifying Wednesday in his murder trial, reiterated that he did not kill his wife in 1987, but said he did withhold information about his failing business from associates and he did forge the signature of his mother-in-law.

After taking the witness stand for the third day, Russ was subjected to a barrage of questions from Deputy Dist. Atty. Mark Pettine, who is attempting to shatter Russ’ credibility.

Russ, 40, is charged with murdering his 33-year-old wife, Pamela Russ, so that he could collect $600,000 in insurance that he had taken out on her life. Pamela Russ was killed Feb. 1, 1987, when she was severely beaten and run down with her own Mercedez-Benz on North Torrey Pines Road.

Pettine pointed out that Russ had previously testified that his wife, an artist and part-time dance instructor, had made only $9,000 in the three years preceding her death. Russ testified Wednesday that he did not think it unusual to have $600,000 in insurance on a person who worked part-time.

Russ also said he did not think it was frivolous to have large insurance policies when his business was failing.

Russ presided over a telemarketing firm when his wife was killed. Prosecutors allege that he killed his wife in order to collect the insurance and to keep her from informing her mother that Russ had bilked his mother-in-law out of $83,000.