Uploaded: Wednesday, July 25, 2001, 6 a.m.

Fitzhugh says he didn't know

by Bill D'Agostino

Kenneth Fitzhugh testified yesterday that prior to his wife's death he never knew or even suspected that their son, Justin, was fathered by another man.

His testimony in Palo Alto Superior Court directly contradicted the theory of prosecutors, who claim that Fitzhugh killed his wife of 33 years, Kristine, in order to keep her from telling Justin that his biological father was a family friend, Robert Brown.

A full-house crowd jammed Judge Franklin Elia's courtroom Tuesday afternoon to watch Fitzhugh testify in his own behalf. .

Fitzhugh said that one reason he never suspected that Brown had fathered Justin was that Brown led a "gay lifestyle."

Fitzhugh said he first found out that Brown was Justin's biological father after he had been in jail eight months on charges of murdering his wife. He said he later had a talk with Justin, in which he told him, "You are still my son and I am still your dad."

Fitzhugh's testimony continues today.