Va. Judge Dismisses Indictment Vs. Sniper (DC Sniper)

AP ^

[GulliverSwift]

5 minutes ago

FAIRFAX, Va. - A judge dismissed an indictment Friday against convicted sniper John Allen Muhammad, ruling that the state waited too long to try him for capital murder in the death of an FBI (news - web sites) analyst who was shot in a store parking lot.

Muhammad is already on Virginia's death row for one of the killings in the October 2002 sniper shootings in the Washington area.

[laishly]

In most jurisdictions, the speedy trial period is 180 days from arrest. But it is not simply calendar days. Delays due to the defendant's motions or interlocutory appeals, etc. are not counted against the speedy trial period. Only delay due to the State or, in some instances, the court is counted. In this case, I would be surprised if an appellate court doesn't reverse because a lot of the delay had to have been due to the perp's previous trial when he was not available.

[smith288]

Refile the case. Its not like we are wasting his time...He is in line to get the needle.

[Mo1]

Who is the idiot Judge that ruled this?

[jpl]

Had the perp been a Ted McVeigh type (aka an "angry right-winger") I guarantee the ruling would never have come down this way.

[Smokin' Joe]

WIth the guy on death row, he has probably saved the Commonwealth of Virginia a small fortune in court costs, security, and media circus. Justice will be done as soon as the guy is executed, something which can only be done once.

[Non-Sequitur]

And here I thought that the whole reason why Ashcroft gave Virginia first crack at Malvo over Maryland was that Virginia was more likely to convict and sentence to death. Way to go.

[Non-Sequitur]

Malvo...Muhammed...whatever.

[103198]

I completely agree. In the Commonwealth of Virginia, we watch our costs (see George Mason University uninviting Moore and saving $35,000). However, we will ensure that justice is completed and this murder is executed, saving even more costs.

[Smokin' Joe]

He is already convicted on another count and on death row in Virginia.

[Mr Ducklips]

Justice will be done as soon as the guy is executed, something which can only be done once.

Let's do it at least twice with this fellow.

[103198]

Please note:

Muhammad is already on Virginia's death row for one of the killings in the October 2002 sniper shootings in the Washington area.

The murderer is already on VIRGINIA death row. This means he will be taken care by the Commonwealth process just like so many other murderers.

[Robert_Paulson2]

yup. this guy is a black muslim terrorist. a murderor and a symbol of militant islam in the face of law enforcment, in this case a murderor of an FBI agent/empployee.

On the other hand, priests are mostly old white guys who tried but failed at practicing their christianity. most of them have killed no one. just ruined lives.

big difference.
charge the priest.
let the muzzie off the hook.

< / sarcasm and disgust >

[Spunky]

"It means his "right to a speedy trial" was violated, not a statute of limitations case."

Do you know for a fact that he did not waive his right to a speedy trial?

[redgolum]

How long till these two guys are given parole? 6 or 8 months?

[A Real Dan Fan... NOT]

You are qualified to be a vice presidential candidate!

[FreedomCalls]

President Kerry will go ahead and pardon him (and Mumia) anyway.

[pepsionice]

True enough, you can only kill a guy once. With all the various expenses that the court system sticks the public with...this is a blessing in disguise. The guy is toast...it may be 3 years before he is executed...but he is finished. Lets just be happy that he screwed up and got caught in the region that he did. Had this been California....he would be on a life sentence only. And that would be terribly wrong.

[Captain Jack Aubrey]

There is no parole in Virginia.

[yankeedame]

I'm not a lawyer either, but I DID stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night...

LOL!!!