Malvo Questioned In Arizona Shooting

"We still anticipate the distinct possibility of prosecution," Richards said.

To prosecute the snipers -- Malvo has described Muhammad as the mastermind of the shooting spree -- in Arizona, that state's governor would have to make a request to her counterpart in Virginia. Some, including Witz, reject the prospect of new trials for Muhammad -- who has been convicted in Maryland and Virginia -- because they fear it would delay his execution.

A spokesman for Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) said his office has received no such request from a state other than Maryland, where six of the 10 Washington area slayings occurred.

An alternative resolution, endorsed by Montgomery County prosecutors, calls for Malvo to plead guilty to all the cases during a hearing that could be attended by relatives of all the victims. Virginia prosecutors have opposed that idea because they feel it would be wrong to offer concessions to Malvo.

Malvo is expected to return to southwestern Virginia's Red Onion State Prison next month after his sentencing hearing in Montgomery. The maximum security facility has been criticized by human rights organizations for what they describe as severe conditions.

It is unclear whether similar meetings with law enforcement officials from jurisdictions elsewhere in the country will be arranged before Malvo's sentencing in Maryland, scheduled for Nov. 9.

Malvo's attorneys declined to describe the ground rules for yesterday's interview, but it is not uncommon for authorities to offer immunity to a suspect they want to interrogate to build a case against a co-defendant.

Malvo pleaded guilty this month to six counts of first-degree murder in the Montgomery slayings. In May he took the stand during Muhammad's trial, providing the first public insider's account of their relationship and the months-long onslaught the pair carried out.

Muhammad, who defended himself at trial, said he was the target of a sweeping law enforcement conspiracy .