Sniper suspect to get court lawyer

SITTING impassively in an orange prison jump-suit, accused Washington sniper John Allen Muhammad yesterday made a second appearance in a Virginia court.

During the 10-minute hearing, Muhammad, 41, spoke only two words: "Yes, sir," when asked by the judge if he needed court-appointed lawyer. Judge Leroy Millette set a December 12 hearing to consider a trial date. He is entitled to a trial by April 7.

Muhammad is charged with the murder of Dean Harold Meyers, 53, at a Virginia petrol station.

The other accused sniper, John Lee Malvo, 17, is being held in jail awaiting a December 5 hearing. They are suspected of carrying out 21 shootings 14 of them fatal in a three week spree last month around the suburbs of the nation's capital.

Both face the death penalty if convicted of the Virginia charges. Investigators have since linked them to earlier, unresolved shootings in other states.