Suspected 'Flint serial killer' in court

Updated, 11:30 a.m.

A Flint prosecutor says he anticipates more charges in September against a man accused of one stabbing and suspected in 13 others.

Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton spoke to reporters Tuesday after a brief court hearing for Elias Abuelazam (A'-boo-LAH'-zuhm). The 33-year-old defendant stayed in jail and did not attend.

Abuelazam is charged with attempted murder in just one case. Five men were killed during a series of stabbings in the Flint area.

Defense lawyer Brian Morley received nearly 200 pages and a CD as evidence in the attempted murder case. The next court hearing is Sept. 21.

Abuelazam was arrested Aug. 11 in Atlanta while awaiting a flight to his native Israel. He is suspected in two stabbings and a hammer attack in Virginia and a stabbing in Ohio.

Earlier post:

A pretrial hearing is scheduled in a Michigan courtroom for a man suspected in 18 stabbings, including three in the Leesburg area. Elias Abuelazam, 33, so far faces charges in connection with one stabbing in the Flint-area.

Tuesday morning's hearing in 68th District Court is a precursor to a preliminary examination. Abuelazam was arraigned Thursday following extradition from Georgia. He was arrested Aug. 11 at an Atlanta airport while awaiting a flight to his native Israel.

Defense attorney Brian Morley was not sure whether Abuelazam will be required to attend Tuesday's hearing.

Abuelazam also is suspected in two stabbings and a hammer attack in Leesburg and a stabbing in Ohio. He lived for a brief time in Northern Virginia where he once worked with troubled children at a Leesburg mental health facility, according to friends and court records.

-- Associated Press