Sniper suspect withdraws move on mental health

SNIPER suspect John Allen Muhammad yesterday withdrew a request that might have allowed him introduce mental health evidence at his trial.

“I’ve changed my mind on that,” Muhammad told Circuit Judge LeRoy F Millette Jr at the beginning of the second day of testimony.

Muhammad, who is representing himself, was barred from presenting any mental health evidence because he refused to meet with prosecutors’ mental health expert. On Monday, he asked Judge Millette to reconsider the ruling.

Muhammad’s decision to defend himself against capital murder charges in last year’s Washington-area sniper attacks raised the possibility he could cross-examine shooting survivors and his alleged accomplice.

On Monday, Muhammad told the jury the evidence “will all show I had nothing to do with these crimes”.

He asked jurors to pay close attention to the facts because “my life and my son’s life is on the line,” a reference to 18-year-old Lee Boyd Malvo, who is to go on trial next month.

The two are not related, but have referred to each other as father and son.