Sniper shootings accused pleads not guilty to murder

ONE of two men accused of the Washington sniper shootings pleaded not guilty as his murder trial began yesterday.

John Allen Muhammad, 42, was asked by the judge if he was ready to be tried for capital murder and firearms charges. He replied: “I’m prepared for it, yes.”

In all, the Gulf War veteran is accused of killing 10 people and wounding three others during a three-week reign of terror in and around Washington last October.

Muhammad appeared in court at Virginia Beach, southern Virginia. He initially remained silent when questioned by Circuit Judge Roy Millette, but answered after consulting with his lawyer.

The second suspect, John Lee Malvo, who was 17 at the time of the crimes, will plead insanity at a separate trial next month, claiming he was brainwashed by Muhammad.

Both face the death penalty if convicted.

The serial sniper killings left the Washington area, and the Maryland and Virginia suburbs, in the grip of terror for three weeks. Victims were apparently chosen at random, sometimes as they filled their cars with fuel. Children were banned from all outdoor activities. There were roadblocks, gridlock and frantic searches after each of the killings.

Muhammad and Malvo were arrested on October 24, 2002, as they slept in a car parked off a busy highway north of Washington, DC.

Police said the boot of the vehicle had been redesigned, allowing a sniper to lie down and fire from its rear.

A motive for the killings, which ended after the arrests, is still unclear.

Muhammad is standing trial for the specific killing of Dean Myers in Virginia. The 53-year-old was shot dead as he refuelled his car north of Manassas on October 9.

Muhammad faces two counts of capital murder. One under anti-terrorism laws passed following September 11, 2001, and a second which alleges multiple murders over three years.

Federal prosecutors selected Virginia for the first trial as it has the death penalty.

The case was being heard in Virginia Beach, 200 miles south of the terrorised area, because of difficulties in finding an impartial jury in the Washington area. It could take up to a week to select a jury.

Muhammad, who converted to Islam 18 years ago, has been described as a crack shot by Pentagon officials.

Malvo, 18, is set for trial next month in neighbouring Chesapeake, Virginia. At a pre-trial hearing last week it emerged that he would plead insanity.

His lawyers said he was minor at the time and was “indoctrinated” by Muhammad.