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American Morning
More Capital Murder Charges Filed Against Two Sniper Suspects
Aired November 07, 2002 - 07:36 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.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Let's talk about news around the D.C. area right now. We may know today what jurisdiction will be first to prosecute John Muhammad and John Lee Malvo. This is more capital murder charges were filed yesterday against the two sniper suspects, this time in Fairfax County, Virginia.
For the latest on those, Patty Davis standing by for more in D.C. -- Patty, good morning.
PATTY DAVIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Bill.
Well, now that Fairfax County prosecutors have filed their charges, sources tell CNN that that county is a leading contender, along with Prince William County, Virginia, to be the first, in fact, to try this case. Both have experienced prosecutors. Virginia is second only to Texas in executing prisoners.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DAVIS (voice-over): The latest charges from Fairfax County prosecutors include two counts of capital murder. John Muhammad and John Lee Malvo are charged with gunning down 47-year-old FBI analyst Linda Franklin outside a Home Depot in Falls Church, Virginia October 14.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Both of them have been charged now with two counts, each of which potentially carry the death penalty under Virginia law.
DAVIS: To get a death penalty conviction in Virginia, prosecutors have to prove who pulled the trigger in Franklin's murder. But Muhammad and 17-year-old Malvo could also get the death penalty if convicted of violating Virginia's new anti-terrorism law, passed after the September 11 terror attacks.
Sources tell CNN Attorney General John Ashcroft could decide by the end of the week which jurisdiction will try the case first.
JOHN ASHCROFT, ATTORNEY GENERAL: I expect there to be a consensus among the jurisdictions involved to move forward first in the jurisdiction which provides the best law and the best facts to bring individuals to swift and sure justice.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
DAVIS: Meanwhile, the sniper task force has been looking into another shooting, this one now in Clinton, Maryland on September 5, a restaurant owner shot six times at close range as he left for the day. He survived. Law enforcement sources tell CNN a laptop computer found in Muhammad's car is the same computer stolen from that restaurant owner. The restaurant less than a mile from where Muhammad's ex-wife and children live -- Bill.
HEMMER: Patty, thanks.
Patty Davis working the story in Washington.
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 November 7, 2002 - 07:36 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Let's talk about news around the D.C. area right now. We may know today what jurisdiction will be first to prosecute John Muhammad and John Lee Malvo. This is more capital murder charges were filed yesterday against the two sniper suspects, this time in Fairfax County, Virginia.
For the latest on those, Patty Davis standing by for more in D.C. -- Patty, good morning.
PATTY DAVIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Bill.
Well, now that Fairfax County prosecutors have filed their charges, sources tell CNN that that county is a leading contender, along with Prince William County, Virginia, to be the first, in fact, to try this case. Both have experienced prosecutors. Virginia is second only to Texas in executing prisoners.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DAVIS (voice-over): The latest charges from Fairfax County prosecutors include two counts of capital murder. John Muhammad and John Lee Malvo are charged with gunning down 47-year-old FBI analyst Linda Franklin outside a Home Depot in Falls Church, Virginia October 14.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Both of them have been charged now with two counts, each of which potentially carry the death penalty under Virginia law.
DAVIS: To get a death penalty conviction in Virginia, prosecutors have to prove who pulled the trigger in Franklin's murder. But Muhammad and 17-year-old Malvo could also get the death penalty if convicted of violating Virginia's new anti-terrorism law, passed after the September 11 terror attacks.
Sources tell CNN Attorney General John Ashcroft could decide by the end of the week which jurisdiction will try the case first.
JOHN ASHCROFT, ATTORNEY GENERAL: I expect there to be a consensus among the jurisdictions involved to move forward first in the jurisdiction which provides the best law and the best facts to bring individuals to swift and sure justice.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
DAVIS: Meanwhile, the sniper task force has been looking into another shooting, this one now in Clinton, Maryland on September 5, a restaurant owner shot six times at close range as he left for the day. He survived. Law enforcement sources tell CNN a laptop computer found in Muhammad's car is the same computer stolen from that restaurant owner. The restaurant less than a mile from where Muhammad's ex-wife and children live -- Bill.
HEMMER: Patty, thanks.
Patty Davis working the story in Washington.
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>
