Man Facing Child Porn Trial Is Found Hanged
A former university professor facing a child pornography trial next month apparently committed suicide in his home, authorities said.
Safwat Moustafa, 63, hanged himself Wednesday and left a suicide note, authorities said. The contents were not disclosed.
Moustafa’s lawyer, Richard Steingard, said the man’s death was a “terrible tragedy.”
Moustafa worked for 17 years at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where he led the mechanical engineering department for seven years. He resigned in 2001.
A federal grand jury indicted Moustafa last year on two felony counts of possessing child pornography on university computers. He pleaded not guilty, and his Los Angeles trial had been scheduled for July 27.
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