Return to Transcripts main page
American Morning
John Muhammad Verdict
Aired November 18, 2003 - 07:16 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: After finding John Muhammad guilty of all counts of capital murder, a jury must now decide if the convicted D.C. sniper should be executed. The sentencing phase in Muhammad's trial is scheduled to resume later today in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Jeanne Meserve was in the courtroom yesterday. Here's Jeanne.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEANNE MESERVE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): If John Muhammad felt anything, he showed nothing as the verdict was read: guilty on all four counts, including terrorism and capital murder -- each of which carries a possible death penalty.
The sister of Hong Im Ballenger, who was gunned down outside a Baton Rouge beauty supply store, sobbed as the verdict was read. She made it clear afterwards what she thinks should happen next.
SWANG SZUSZKA, SISTER OF HONG BALLENGER: I'm glad they found him guilty, and I'm still looking for death penalty for justice.
MESERVE: As the jury moved on to consider whether Muhammad should die or spend the rest of his life in prison, defense attorney Jonathan Shapiro acknowledged the obvious: "Your decision will put John Muhammad in a box of one sort or another. One is made of concrete, and one is made of pine."
Saying it is not necessary to extinguish one more life, Shapiro characterized Muhammad as "a man of worth and value," who had friends, admirers, and loving children. But, prosecutor Richard Conway said Muhammad was one of the "worst of the worst" saying, "He sits right in front of you without a shred of remorse."
The first witness in the penalty phase, Isa Nichols, a former friend and business associate of Muhammad's, whose niece was shot, prosecutors contend, after Nichols alienated Muhammad by giving support to his ex-wife, Mildred.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
After Mildred Muhammad regained custody of their children and moved with them to the Washington D.C. area, Nichols refused to tell Muhammad where they were because -- quote -- Mildred felt that he was going to destroy her." Mildred Muhammad is expected to take the stand sometime today.
Back to you.
HEMMER: Jeanne Meserve, thanks, in Virginia.
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 November 18, 2003 - 07:16 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: After finding John Muhammad guilty of all counts of capital murder, a jury must now decide if the convicted D.C. sniper should be executed. The sentencing phase in Muhammad's trial is scheduled to resume later today in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Jeanne Meserve was in the courtroom yesterday. Here's Jeanne.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEANNE MESERVE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): If John Muhammad felt anything, he showed nothing as the verdict was read: guilty on all four counts, including terrorism and capital murder -- each of which carries a possible death penalty.
The sister of Hong Im Ballenger, who was gunned down outside a Baton Rouge beauty supply store, sobbed as the verdict was read. She made it clear afterwards what she thinks should happen next.
SWANG SZUSZKA, SISTER OF HONG BALLENGER: I'm glad they found him guilty, and I'm still looking for death penalty for justice.
MESERVE: As the jury moved on to consider whether Muhammad should die or spend the rest of his life in prison, defense attorney Jonathan Shapiro acknowledged the obvious: "Your decision will put John Muhammad in a box of one sort or another. One is made of concrete, and one is made of pine."
Saying it is not necessary to extinguish one more life, Shapiro characterized Muhammad as "a man of worth and value," who had friends, admirers, and loving children. But, prosecutor Richard Conway said Muhammad was one of the "worst of the worst" saying, "He sits right in front of you without a shred of remorse."
The first witness in the penalty phase, Isa Nichols, a former friend and business associate of Muhammad's, whose niece was shot, prosecutors contend, after Nichols alienated Muhammad by giving support to his ex-wife, Mildred.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
After Mildred Muhammad regained custody of their children and moved with them to the Washington D.C. area, Nichols refused to tell Muhammad where they were because -- quote -- Mildred felt that he was going to destroy her." Mildred Muhammad is expected to take the stand sometime today.
Back to you.
HEMMER: Jeanne Meserve, thanks, in Virginia.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
