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American Morning
Sniper Trials: Penalty Phase
Aired November 19, 2003 - 07:11 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: Witness testimony in the penalty phase of convicted D.C.-area sniper John Muhammad -- that trial moving toward completion today.
Meanwhile, some damaging evidence has been presented against Muhammad's alleged accomplice, Lee Boyd Malvo.
For that, to Patty Davis this morning, who joins us for more on both cases in Virginia.
Patty -- good morning.
PATTY DAVIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Bill.
Well, that evidence is Lee Boyd Malvo's own words about some of the sniper killings. Yesterday, prosecutors played a tape of an interrogation of Malvo done by police last November.
On that tape, Malvo admits to killing Dean Meyers at a Sonoco gas station in Manassas, Virginia, last year. He says he shot him in the head, because he could not get a body shot. Meyers says -- he said that Meyers became a target because he walked into Malvo's battle sights -- basically his target zone.
Now, why did he take part in these sniper killings? Malvo says -- quote -- "You know it's about money."
You will recall that the snipers had demanded $10 million to stop the killings.
Now, Malvo says -- quote -- "I intended to kill them all" -- in reference to the sniper victims, three of which survived.
Those words could land Malvo on death row. His lawyers say that he was simply trying to protect his alleged accomplice, John Muhammad.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CRAIG COOLEY, ATTORNEY FOR MALVO: I think his statements are inaccurate and accept far too much responsibility for his role.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
DAVIS: Now, Malvo's lawyers are planning an insanity defense. They expect to start their defense later this week. They say that they have not yet decided whether to put Malvo himself on the stand, but his mother, Uma James (ph), will not be testifying here because of immigration problems -- Bill.
HEMMER: Patty, meanwhile, the penalty phase for John Muhammad, there is talk that his ex-wife may testify. Their relationship did not end on good terms. Do you have anything on that?
DAVIS: Well, we do expect her to testify at some point today. The last time they saw each other was the end of 2001. Now, Muhammad -- you're right, it wasn't good terms. He had taken their three children to Antigua. Well, she was able to get them back once he moved them back to the United States, and moved away from him. Witnesses say she was terrified of him. And she presumably will testify as to his controlling nature today -- Bill.
HEMMER: Patty, thanks. Patty Davis in Chesapeake, 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 19, 2003 - 07:11 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Witness testimony in the penalty phase of convicted D.C.-area sniper John Muhammad -- that trial moving toward completion today.
Meanwhile, some damaging evidence has been presented against Muhammad's alleged accomplice, Lee Boyd Malvo.
For that, to Patty Davis this morning, who joins us for more on both cases in Virginia.
Patty -- good morning.
PATTY DAVIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Bill.
Well, that evidence is Lee Boyd Malvo's own words about some of the sniper killings. Yesterday, prosecutors played a tape of an interrogation of Malvo done by police last November.
On that tape, Malvo admits to killing Dean Meyers at a Sonoco gas station in Manassas, Virginia, last year. He says he shot him in the head, because he could not get a body shot. Meyers says -- he said that Meyers became a target because he walked into Malvo's battle sights -- basically his target zone.
Now, why did he take part in these sniper killings? Malvo says -- quote -- "You know it's about money."
You will recall that the snipers had demanded $10 million to stop the killings.
Now, Malvo says -- quote -- "I intended to kill them all" -- in reference to the sniper victims, three of which survived.
Those words could land Malvo on death row. His lawyers say that he was simply trying to protect his alleged accomplice, John Muhammad.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CRAIG COOLEY, ATTORNEY FOR MALVO: I think his statements are inaccurate and accept far too much responsibility for his role.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
DAVIS: Now, Malvo's lawyers are planning an insanity defense. They expect to start their defense later this week. They say that they have not yet decided whether to put Malvo himself on the stand, but his mother, Uma James (ph), will not be testifying here because of immigration problems -- Bill.
HEMMER: Patty, meanwhile, the penalty phase for John Muhammad, there is talk that his ex-wife may testify. Their relationship did not end on good terms. Do you have anything on that?
DAVIS: Well, we do expect her to testify at some point today. The last time they saw each other was the end of 2001. Now, Muhammad -- you're right, it wasn't good terms. He had taken their three children to Antigua. Well, she was able to get them back once he moved them back to the United States, and moved away from him. Witnesses say she was terrified of him. And she presumably will testify as to his controlling nature today -- Bill.
HEMMER: Patty, thanks. Patty Davis in Chesapeake, 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.
