Convicted Sniper Could Receive Another Death Sentence
Associated Press
Friday, August 19, 2005
11:59 AM
SUSSEX, Va. -- A judge in Virginia has ordered convicted sniper John Muhammad to be moved from Virginia's death row to Maryland for his second trial in the 2002 sniper shooting spree in the Washington area.
The judge in Sussex County, Virginia, rejected arguments today from Muhammad's attorneys, who challenged the extradition to Maryland, where he is to be tried for the slayings of six people.
The 44-year-old Muhammad is on Virginia's death row for his conviction in a sniper killing in Manassas.
Lee Boyd Malvo, who's 20, was transferred to Maryland in May to stand trial. He's already serving a life sentence in Virginia for one of the killings.
Maryland has agreed to transfer the men back to Virginia after their trials.
If convicted in Maryland, Muhammad could get another death sentence. Malvo faces six additional life sentences.
Prosecutors have said additional convictions in Maryland would act as insurance if the Virginia cases are ever overturned on appeal.