Prosecutors: HIV man lied to partners

HAMILTON, Ontario, Oct. 21 (UPI) -- Canadian prosecutors began a double murder trial in Hamilton, Ontario, alleging the accused man lied to at least 11 women sex partners about being HIV positive.

Johnson Aziga, 52, pleaded innocent to two counts of first-degree murder and nine counts of aggravated sexual assault involving other women with whom he had sex without a condom, the Hamilton Spectator reported Tuesday.

Prosecutors said Aziga was diagnosed with HIV in December 1996 and had been counseled to inform sexual partners of his HIV status and to wear a latex condom during sex.

The prosecutors alleged Aziga, who was separated from his wife and three children, continued to have unprotected sex and deceived at least 11 women about his HIV status prior to his arrest on Aug. 30, 2003.

Of the 11 women, two have died from AIDS-related non-Hodgkins lymphoma, five are infected with HIV and four tested negative, the court was told.

Dr. Paul Sandstrom, director of the National HIV and Retrovirology Laboratories in Ottawa, testified at least eight of the victims had the same strain of HIV that is "very rare" in North America, the report said.

The trial is expected to last six weeks.