Fairfax County to Prosecute Muhammad

AP via WTOP news ^ | April 29, 2004 | WTOP News

[FoxInSocks]

FAIRFAX -- It looks like convicted sniper John Muhammad will go on trial again.

Muhammad was sentenced to death last year after being convicted in the October 2002 death of Dean Myers in Prince William County, one of the fatal shootings that terrorized the Washington area.

Now Fairfax County prosecutor Robert Horn plans to put Muhammad on trial for the death of Linda Franklin, another sniper victim.

Muhammad's younger accomplice, Lee Malvo, was convicted and sentenced to life in prison last year for Franklin's death.

Horan says Virginia lawmakers cleared the way for the second sniper trial when they approved tax increase that will ensure funding for his department.

Muhammad is expected to be transferred next week from Virginia's death row to the Fairfax County detention center to await trial.

[FoxInSocks]

Thank you for raising the sales tax from 4.5 percent to 5.0 percent, freezing the evil car tax (yet AGAIN!), and raising the cigarette tax to 30 cents per pack. It's worth it to put a guy on trial who's already on death row. I forget how many millions they spent the first time around.

[Jeff Head]

I'd rather see them spend the money trying the little Muslim terrorist animal, Malvo, who didn't get death. Give it to him there in Fairfax County.

[CurlyDave]

If they hurry up & fry him can the citizens get a tax reduction?

[D-fendr]

Sorry about the tax.

But as far as Muhammad:

What the hell, fry him twice.

[Jeff Head]

They need to get Malvo on death row too, tax or no tax.

[TheLion]

Looks like someone wants some media attention here.

[UnbelievingScumOnTheOtherSide]

Dang. I thought they were going to prosecute Muhammad Pbuh.

[Ligeia]

Fairfax preparing for next sniper trial

BY PAUL BRADLEY

TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER

Friday, April 30, 2004

FAIRFAX - Fairfax County's chief prosecutor said yesterday that he is moving ahead with plans to put convicted sniper John Allen Muhammad on trial again.

Commonwealth's Attorney Robert F. Horan Jr. said state lawmakers cleared the way for a second trial of Muhammad when they broke their budget impasse, ensuring funding for his office.

Earlier, he had said that the lack of a budget agreement might have meant layoffs in his office and precluded another trial.

While some observers have questioned the need for another trial, Horan said he wants another conviction as an "insurance policy" in the event Muhammad's conviction is overturned. One of Muhammad's convictions came under a new anti-terrorism law that has not been reviewed by appeals courts, Horan said.

Horan's move came a day after Muhammad's lawyers informed the Virginia Supreme Court they will appeal his capital murder conviction.

Last November, a Virginia Beach jury convicted Muhammad of capital murder in the October 2002 shooting death of Dean H. Meyers at a Manassas gas station. Adopting the jury's recommendation, Prince William Judge LeRoy F. Millette Jr. sentenced Muhammad to death.

Muhammad, 43, is expected to be transferred next week from Virginia's death row at the state prison in Sussex to the Fairfax County jail to await trial, which could take place this summer.

An indictment charges Muhammad with capital murder in Fairfax in the shooting death of FBI analyst Linda Franklin, who was killed outside a Home Depot store near Falls Church on Oct. 14, 2002.

Muhammad's accomplice, Lee Boyd Malvo, 19, was convicted of capital murder in Franklin's death and was sentenced to a life prison term.

RTD