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CNN Live At Daybreak

Jurors Will Begin Deliberating Fate of John Allen Muhammad

Aired November 14, 2003 - 05:07   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: In the two D.C. area sniper cases this morning, jurors will begin deliberating the fate of John Allen Muhammad. In the meantime, the trial of his alleged accomplice has recessed until Monday, when the prosecution will begin presenting its evidence.
CNN's Jeanne Meserve has the latest for you on both cases.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEANNE MESERVE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A child, poor, mentally and physically abused, often abandoned by his parents -- the portrait of Lee Malvo drawn by defense attorney Craig Cooley. Enter John Muhammad and Malvo is molded into a child soldier, led to believe extortion money would be used to set up a utopian society in Canada.

CRAIG COOLEY, MALVO'S ATTORNEY: Mr. Muhammad was his commanding officer, for all practical purposes, after this training concluded.

MESERVE: Prosecutor Robert Horan dismissed the contention that Muhammad left Malvo unable to distinguish right from wrong. "No way in the world he did not know what he did, how he did it and why he did it." In his opening statement weaving together the shootings, the evidence and Malvo's alleged confessions, Horan told the jury, "We want you to be fair to all of the dead people and convict Lee Malvo."

Convict John Muhammad, the message of prosecutor Richard Conway in a courtroom 15 miles away. Conway said Muhammad was the captain of a sniper killing team who led a conspiracy to kill, terrorize and extort. Conway conceded the evidence was circumstantial, but "physical evidence doesn't lie," he said.

Muhammad's defense attorney, Peter Greenspun, argued prosecutors had not proven their case, saying there is more than a gap, a canyon in the evidence. Greenspun said the prosecution case was built on suspicion, speculation and innuendo, as he tried to raise questions about scenarios, witnesses and evidence.

(on camera): Prosecutor Paul Ebert got the last word, characterizing Muhammad as the kind of man who will pat you on the back and cut your throat. "This man is guilty and I ask you to find him so," he thundered. The jury begins deliberations Friday morning.

Jean Meserve, CNN, Virginia Beach, Virginia.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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




Muhammad>


Aired November 14, 2003 - 05:07   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: In the two D.C. area sniper cases this morning, jurors will begin deliberating the fate of John Allen Muhammad. In the meantime, the trial of his alleged accomplice has recessed until Monday, when the prosecution will begin presenting its evidence.
CNN's Jeanne Meserve has the latest for you on both cases.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEANNE MESERVE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A child, poor, mentally and physically abused, often abandoned by his parents -- the portrait of Lee Malvo drawn by defense attorney Craig Cooley. Enter John Muhammad and Malvo is molded into a child soldier, led to believe extortion money would be used to set up a utopian society in Canada.

CRAIG COOLEY, MALVO'S ATTORNEY: Mr. Muhammad was his commanding officer, for all practical purposes, after this training concluded.

MESERVE: Prosecutor Robert Horan dismissed the contention that Muhammad left Malvo unable to distinguish right from wrong. "No way in the world he did not know what he did, how he did it and why he did it." In his opening statement weaving together the shootings, the evidence and Malvo's alleged confessions, Horan told the jury, "We want you to be fair to all of the dead people and convict Lee Malvo."

Convict John Muhammad, the message of prosecutor Richard Conway in a courtroom 15 miles away. Conway said Muhammad was the captain of a sniper killing team who led a conspiracy to kill, terrorize and extort. Conway conceded the evidence was circumstantial, but "physical evidence doesn't lie," he said.

Muhammad's defense attorney, Peter Greenspun, argued prosecutors had not proven their case, saying there is more than a gap, a canyon in the evidence. Greenspun said the prosecution case was built on suspicion, speculation and innuendo, as he tried to raise questions about scenarios, witnesses and evidence.

(on camera): Prosecutor Paul Ebert got the last word, characterizing Muhammad as the kind of man who will pat you on the back and cut your throat. "This man is guilty and I ask you to find him so," he thundered. The jury begins deliberations Friday morning.

Jean Meserve, CNN, Virginia Beach, Virginia.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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




Muhammad>