His mother and father hoped to speak today when their son's killer is sentenced.

His brother and sister also wanted to talk to the court about how Michel Rousseaux's Nov. 4, 2005, death at the hand of his longtime friend, Todd Poorman of Glen Burnie, changed their lives.

But John Robinson III, Poorman's defense attorney, will urge Circuit Court Judge Philip T. Caroom to enforce an oft-overlooked aspect of state law and allow only one family member to address the court.

"It's a personal insult to us as the victims," said Sheila Rousseaux, Mr. Rousseaux's mother.

The Severna Park resident said each family member...