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John Muhammad's Trial Moved to Southern Virginia

Aired July 16, 2003 - 10:01   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: But right now there's a new development in the sniper shootings that gripped much of the eastern U.S. in fear last summer. This morning a Virginia judge has granted a change of venue in the upcoming trial of suspect John Mohammed. CNN's Patty Davis has the judge's decision right now. Patty's standing by in our Washington bureau. Good morning, Patty.
PATTY DAVIS, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Leon.

Well, sniper suspect John Mohammed's trial is being moved to Virginia Beach, Virginia, 200 miles to the south. The judge in the case says good cause has clearly been shown that a change of venue is necessary to get a fair and impartial trial.

Muhammad's lawyers had argued that he couldn't get a fair trial in Prince William County, Virginia where he's charged with the killing of Dean Myers. His lawyers say nearly every one in that county was affected by the sniper killing and the massive publicity tainted potential jurors. Muhammad's trial is scheduled for October.

Now two weeks ago the trial of Muhammad's alleged accomplice, Lee Boyd Malvo, was moved to Chesapeake, Virginia. That is just a few miles from Virginia Beach. And since the trials could overlap, Malvo's is scheduled for November, it would allow prosecutors in both trials to share evidence, possibly even shuttling that bushmaster rifle allegedly used in the sniper killings back and forth more easily.

Both towns have big new courthouses and secure underground tunnels to ferry the two men between jail and court -- Leon.

HARRIS: All right, thanks, Patty. Patty Davis in our Washington bureau. Appreciate that.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com






Aired July 16, 2003 - 10:01   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: But right now there's a new development in the sniper shootings that gripped much of the eastern U.S. in fear last summer. This morning a Virginia judge has granted a change of venue in the upcoming trial of suspect John Mohammed. CNN's Patty Davis has the judge's decision right now. Patty's standing by in our Washington bureau. Good morning, Patty.
PATTY DAVIS, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Leon.

Well, sniper suspect John Mohammed's trial is being moved to Virginia Beach, Virginia, 200 miles to the south. The judge in the case says good cause has clearly been shown that a change of venue is necessary to get a fair and impartial trial.

Muhammad's lawyers had argued that he couldn't get a fair trial in Prince William County, Virginia where he's charged with the killing of Dean Myers. His lawyers say nearly every one in that county was affected by the sniper killing and the massive publicity tainted potential jurors. Muhammad's trial is scheduled for October.

Now two weeks ago the trial of Muhammad's alleged accomplice, Lee Boyd Malvo, was moved to Chesapeake, Virginia. That is just a few miles from Virginia Beach. And since the trials could overlap, Malvo's is scheduled for November, it would allow prosecutors in both trials to share evidence, possibly even shuttling that bushmaster rifle allegedly used in the sniper killings back and forth more easily.

Both towns have big new courthouses and secure underground tunnels to ferry the two men between jail and court -- Leon.

HARRIS: All right, thanks, Patty. Patty Davis in our Washington bureau. Appreciate that.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com