Trial moves to sentencing phase
Disclaimer: This is not original reporting. Information has been compiled from several ABC news sources.
Two days after testimony ended, John Allen Muhammad was convicted on both counts of capital murder for his involvement in the sniper-shooting spree. The trial will now move into a sentencing phase.
Prosecutors are expected to seek the death penalty for Muhammad, who along with John Lee Boyd Malvo, was accused of the deaths of ten people in the Washington area. Prosecutors must show that Muhammad's behavior demonstrates "a depravity of mind" that cannot be fixed with a life sentence. Based on the two convictions of capital murder, Muhammad will get either life in prison or the death penalty.
The defense attorneys are expected to argue that since the prosecution offered little proof that Muhammad actually fired any weapons, he should not be put to death.
The prosecution suffered a blow when Judge LeRoy F. Millette Jr. ruled that during the sentencing phase, the prosecution must limit its testimony to the family of Dean Harold Meyers, the murder Muhammad is on trial for.
Regardless of the sentencing handed down, Muhammad will probably be tried for several of the remaining murders he is accusing of being involved in.
Vivek Chellappa. As Vivek beings his final year in Blair, several new hobbies draw his attention: his passion for standup comedy and making lists with only one real piece of information. Vivek has recently developed a strong liking for the works of Mitch Hedberg, Dave Chapelle and … More »
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