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CNN Live At Daybreak

John Allen Muhammad Defends Himself

Aired October 21, 2003 - 06:36   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.


CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Oh, was it one strange day? In court in Virginia Beach, John Allen Muhammad, the alleged D.C. sniper, is now acting as his own attorney. In opening statements, he said he had nothing to do with it.
Our Jennifer Coggiola joins us live from Virginia Beach with more on this story.

And I can only imagine the reaction inside the courtroom.

JENNIFER COGGIOLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, absolutely. Good morning, Carol.

It was certainly a dramatic first day for John Allen Muhammad. Now, after the judge questioned his decision about representing himself, questioning his legal expertise and knowledge of the legal system, Muhammad said he was prepared, he understood and he was ready to give his side of the events.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

COGGIOLA (voice-over): The first day in the sniper trial and not what most expected.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's just the latest turn in a very strange case.

COGGIOLA: Taking the courtroom by surprise, suspect John Allen Muhammad asked to defend himself. A Virginia Beach judge granted his request.

In his 20-minute opening statement, speaking calmly and politely to jurors, Muhammad denied any involvement in last year's D.C.-area sniper shootings, telling jurors -- quote: "I had nothing to do with the crimes. And please pay attention. My life and my son's life is on the line."

The so-called son he is referring to, his alleged accomplice in the shootings, 18-year-old Lee Boyd Malvo, also appeared in the courtroom Monday. Summoned by the prosecution, Malvo was identified by one of the state's witnesses, who said she saw both men at a bank parking lot the evening of October 9, the same day the pair allegedly gunned down Dean Harold Meyers. Muhammad cross-examined the witness, asking if race was behind her memory of him.

Muhammad is on trial for Meyers' death, as well as three additional charges -- two of them carry a death sentence. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) if he wants to die, this is the way to do it.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COGGIOLA: Now, Muhammad's decision to represent himself means that he could be forced to cross-examine his accusers, including survivors of the sniper shootings, or even Lee Boyd Malvo if he's forced to testify -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Jennifer Coggiola reporting live for us from Virginia Beach this morning.

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 October 21, 2003 - 06:36   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Oh, was it one strange day? In court in Virginia Beach, John Allen Muhammad, the alleged D.C. sniper, is now acting as his own attorney. In opening statements, he said he had nothing to do with it.
Our Jennifer Coggiola joins us live from Virginia Beach with more on this story.

And I can only imagine the reaction inside the courtroom.

JENNIFER COGGIOLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, absolutely. Good morning, Carol.

It was certainly a dramatic first day for John Allen Muhammad. Now, after the judge questioned his decision about representing himself, questioning his legal expertise and knowledge of the legal system, Muhammad said he was prepared, he understood and he was ready to give his side of the events.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

COGGIOLA (voice-over): The first day in the sniper trial and not what most expected.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's just the latest turn in a very strange case.

COGGIOLA: Taking the courtroom by surprise, suspect John Allen Muhammad asked to defend himself. A Virginia Beach judge granted his request.

In his 20-minute opening statement, speaking calmly and politely to jurors, Muhammad denied any involvement in last year's D.C.-area sniper shootings, telling jurors -- quote: "I had nothing to do with the crimes. And please pay attention. My life and my son's life is on the line."

The so-called son he is referring to, his alleged accomplice in the shootings, 18-year-old Lee Boyd Malvo, also appeared in the courtroom Monday. Summoned by the prosecution, Malvo was identified by one of the state's witnesses, who said she saw both men at a bank parking lot the evening of October 9, the same day the pair allegedly gunned down Dean Harold Meyers. Muhammad cross-examined the witness, asking if race was behind her memory of him.

Muhammad is on trial for Meyers' death, as well as three additional charges -- two of them carry a death sentence. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) if he wants to die, this is the way to do it.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COGGIOLA: Now, Muhammad's decision to represent himself means that he could be forced to cross-examine his accusers, including survivors of the sniper shootings, or even Lee Boyd Malvo if he's forced to testify -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Jennifer Coggiola reporting live for us from Virginia Beach this morning.

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