Trial of German neo-Nazis accused in immigrant killings on hold

FILE - Undated file photo shows terror suspect Beate Zschaepehe-- sole survivor of the neo-Nazi group National Socialist Underground, which is blamed for 10 killings-- after her arrest. (AP)

FILE - In this April 6, 2013 file picture Ismail Yozgat , right, and Ayse Yozgat , left, pray at a memorial event on the seventh anniversary of the murder of their son Halit, who was killed by the NSU terror group, in Kassel, Germany. Beate Zschaepe, the sole survivor of a neo-Nazi group _ the self-styled National Socialist Underground _ blamed for ten killings goes on trial Monday, May 6, 2013 in Munich, along with four men alleged to have helped the killers in various ways. Beate Zschaepe, 38, is charged with complicity in the murder of eight Turks, a Greek and a policewoman. She is also accused of involvement in at least two bombings and 15 bank robberies carried out by her accomplices Uwe Mundlos and Uwe Boenhardt, who died in an apparent murder-suicide two years ago (AP Photo/dpa,Uwe Zucchi,File)EARLY RISER FOR FRIDAY MAY 3 2013 - (The Associated Press)

MUNICH – A high-profile murder trial involving an alleged German neo-Nazi has been put on hold after defense lawyers accused the presiding judge of bias.

Judge Manfred Goetzl said Monday that he would rule on defense motions that he should recuse himself by May 14.

Main defendant Beate Zschaepe is accused of murder for alleged complicity in the killing of eight Turks, a Greek and a policewoman between 2000 and 2007. If convicted, she faces life imprisonment.

Prosecutors say Zschaepe was part of a far-right gang that also carried out two bombings and 15 bank robberies. The other two core members of the self-styled National Socialist Underground are said to have died in an apparent murder-suicide in November 2011.

Four other men are on trial accused of helping the group.