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Sniper Trial: Malvo Trial Testimony

Aired December 02, 2003 - 06:19   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: Will he or won't he? Convicted sniper John Allen Muhammad has been subpoenaed in the trial of alleged accomplice Lee Boyd Malvo, but it is not certain whether he will testify. In the meantime, another Muhammad did take the stand and had plenty to say.
We get more on the trial from Jennifer Coggiola who joins us live from Washington.

Good morning -- Jennifer.

JENNIFER COGGIOLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.

Well it's week three in the trial of Lee Boyd Malvo. Yesterday, the ex-wife, as you said, of John Muhammad, Mildred Muhammad, took the stand for half an hour where she described her relationship with Muhammad and his relationship with his children.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JENNIFER COGGIOLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Last month, Mildred Muhammad testified at the trial of convicted sniper John Muhammad, her ex-husband, explaining how he threatened her life after she was awarded custody of their children.

Yesterday, she testified again at the trial of Lee Boyd Malvo, Muhammad's 18-year-old alleged accomplice and the boy Muhammad called son. She described her ex-husband as controlling, the disciplinarian. But added that -- quote -- "he was a magnet to children and the father figure they were looking for."

Defense attorneys argue Malvo is considered one of those children and that John Muhammad brainwashed the teenager into last year's D.C. area sniper shootings that left 10 people dead.

CRAIG COOLEY, MALVO DEFENSE ATTORNEY: It's like putting one brick on top of another, it may -- each brick may in and of itself not appear to be a structure. But when they finish putting them all together, I think the picture will be very clear.

COGGIOLA: But prosecutors say the terror spree was an effort to intimidate the public and extort money and had nothing to do with any custody battles between Mildred and John Muhammad whom the defense have also subpoenaed to appear at Malvo's trial.

MICHAEL ARIF, MALVO DEFENSE ATTORNEY: We would certainly like to have John Muhammad there so that the jury can get the full flavor of John Muhammad, the size difference, what the measure of the man is.

COGGIOLA: Muhammad's lawyer had made it clear, though, he will not testify.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

As you may remember last week, Muhammad's jury recommended that he be sentenced to death for his involvement in the sniper shootings. Well 18-year-old Malvo faces the same possible sentence, both for the terrorism charge and capital murder charges -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Jennifer Coggiola reporting live from D.C. 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 December 2, 2003 - 06:19   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Will he or won't he? Convicted sniper John Allen Muhammad has been subpoenaed in the trial of alleged accomplice Lee Boyd Malvo, but it is not certain whether he will testify. In the meantime, another Muhammad did take the stand and had plenty to say.
We get more on the trial from Jennifer Coggiola who joins us live from Washington.

Good morning -- Jennifer.

JENNIFER COGGIOLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.

Well it's week three in the trial of Lee Boyd Malvo. Yesterday, the ex-wife, as you said, of John Muhammad, Mildred Muhammad, took the stand for half an hour where she described her relationship with Muhammad and his relationship with his children.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JENNIFER COGGIOLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Last month, Mildred Muhammad testified at the trial of convicted sniper John Muhammad, her ex-husband, explaining how he threatened her life after she was awarded custody of their children.

Yesterday, she testified again at the trial of Lee Boyd Malvo, Muhammad's 18-year-old alleged accomplice and the boy Muhammad called son. She described her ex-husband as controlling, the disciplinarian. But added that -- quote -- "he was a magnet to children and the father figure they were looking for."

Defense attorneys argue Malvo is considered one of those children and that John Muhammad brainwashed the teenager into last year's D.C. area sniper shootings that left 10 people dead.

CRAIG COOLEY, MALVO DEFENSE ATTORNEY: It's like putting one brick on top of another, it may -- each brick may in and of itself not appear to be a structure. But when they finish putting them all together, I think the picture will be very clear.

COGGIOLA: But prosecutors say the terror spree was an effort to intimidate the public and extort money and had nothing to do with any custody battles between Mildred and John Muhammad whom the defense have also subpoenaed to appear at Malvo's trial.

MICHAEL ARIF, MALVO DEFENSE ATTORNEY: We would certainly like to have John Muhammad there so that the jury can get the full flavor of John Muhammad, the size difference, what the measure of the man is.

COGGIOLA: Muhammad's lawyer had made it clear, though, he will not testify.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

As you may remember last week, Muhammad's jury recommended that he be sentenced to death for his involvement in the sniper shootings. Well 18-year-old Malvo faces the same possible sentence, both for the terrorism charge and capital murder charges -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Jennifer Coggiola reporting live from D.C. 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