Metal poisoning linked to wife's slaying

Canadian prosecutors say a metal-recycling worker was suffering from work-related poisoning when he strangled his wife in Edmonton, Alberta. Narin Sok, 52, was charged with second-degree murder for the strangulation of his wife in July 2008, although prosecutors agreed with defense lawyers the man had been suffering from poisoning that made him delusional. After his arrest, Sok was taken to a hospital where doctors found he was suffering from kidney failure, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported. Tests showed he had toxic levels of cadmium, lead and manganese in his body. A psychiatric assessment said Sok had been exposed to the toxic metals since 1986 in his job of stripping wires for recycling. A concerned relative called police the day Sok's wife was killed, saying the man's behavior had become erratic. When officers arrived at the couple's apartment, they found the door barricaded with sacks of rice, the report said. A judge will rule next week on whether to proceed with prosecution.