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Have Media Leaks Jeopardized Case Against Sniper Suspects?
Aired April 24, 2003 - 13:21 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.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: So have media leaks jeopardized the case against D.C.-area sniper suspects? A Virginia judge is holding a hearing today to determine just that issue.
Our Patty Davis is in Manassass right now with more on the story.
Hello, Patty.
PATTY DAVIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Miles, there has been lots of leaks in this sniper case. And attorneys for John Muhammad, the sniper suspect, say that it is tainting the jury pool. They're very worried about that. But that hearing has concluded. Just a short time ago, a Virginia judge denying a defense request to force police officers, the FBI, and four "Washington Post" reporters to testify and talk about the source of all that information. The judge says that while he's not pleased with the leaks, that there is no gag order in this case, and that would compel people to testify at this point.
Now "The Washington Post" and "The New York Times" have had detailed articles about statements made by Muhammad's alleged complex, and that is Lee Boyd Malvo, the 18-year-old other sniper suspect, apparently admitting to shooting a 13-year-boy in Bowie, Maryland, a school kid, as well as Linda Franklin, outside a Home Depot, and then laughing about it all.
Now Muhammad is charged with the killing of Dean Harold Myers, October 9th. That was when Mr. Myers was at a gas pump, at a Sunoco station here in Prince William County, Virginia. The judge denied a motion to force prosecutors to say if they think Muhammad was the killing man in that killing of Dean Myers.
Now that's important, because if you're the triggerman or you're a clear participant, then you could get the death penalty here in Virginia. The judge said it was inappropriate for him to decide that at this point, and force prosecutors to show their hand.
Now Muhammad is scheduled to go on trial in October, and Lee Boyd Malvo, this coming November.
Back to you, Miles.
O'BRIEN: All right, CNN's Patty Davis in Manassas, thank you very much. Appreciate it.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Suspects?>
Aired April 24, 2003 - 13:21 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: So have media leaks jeopardized the case against D.C.-area sniper suspects? A Virginia judge is holding a hearing today to determine just that issue.
Our Patty Davis is in Manassass right now with more on the story.
Hello, Patty.
PATTY DAVIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Miles, there has been lots of leaks in this sniper case. And attorneys for John Muhammad, the sniper suspect, say that it is tainting the jury pool. They're very worried about that. But that hearing has concluded. Just a short time ago, a Virginia judge denying a defense request to force police officers, the FBI, and four "Washington Post" reporters to testify and talk about the source of all that information. The judge says that while he's not pleased with the leaks, that there is no gag order in this case, and that would compel people to testify at this point.
Now "The Washington Post" and "The New York Times" have had detailed articles about statements made by Muhammad's alleged complex, and that is Lee Boyd Malvo, the 18-year-old other sniper suspect, apparently admitting to shooting a 13-year-boy in Bowie, Maryland, a school kid, as well as Linda Franklin, outside a Home Depot, and then laughing about it all.
Now Muhammad is charged with the killing of Dean Harold Myers, October 9th. That was when Mr. Myers was at a gas pump, at a Sunoco station here in Prince William County, Virginia. The judge denied a motion to force prosecutors to say if they think Muhammad was the killing man in that killing of Dean Myers.
Now that's important, because if you're the triggerman or you're a clear participant, then you could get the death penalty here in Virginia. The judge said it was inappropriate for him to decide that at this point, and force prosecutors to show their hand.
Now Muhammad is scheduled to go on trial in October, and Lee Boyd Malvo, this coming November.
Back to you, Miles.
O'BRIEN: All right, CNN's Patty Davis in Manassas, thank you very much. Appreciate it.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Suspects?>
