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American Morning

Lee Boyd Malvo a Changed Person?

Aired November 26, 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.


SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Was Lee Boyd Malvo a different person before he met convicted D.C.-area sniper John Muhammad? That was the theme in yesterday's testimony, as jurors heard people speak on the teenager's behalf. Malvo is accused of being Muhammad's accomplice in the shooting spree.
Patty Davis has this report from Chesapeake, Virginia.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PATTY DAVIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Lee Boyd Malvo smiled and laughed as relatives and friends warmly described him as a young boy in Jamaica. A friend said he was friendly. He was fun to be around. An aunt he lived with for more than a year called Malvo obedient and intelligent, and sobbed as she left the courtroom.

But Esmie McLeod said she grew concerned when Malvo attended her high school. There was an emotional vulnerability about Lee, the school vice principal said. She blamed it on Malvo's mother constantly moving him from place to place.

Defense lawyers contend convicted sniper John Muhammad zeroed in on that vulnerability and brainwashed Malvo. They're pursuing an insanity defense and have subpoenaed Muhammad to testify, although it's unclear if he'll appear.

CRAIG COOLEY, ATTORNEY FOR MALVO: We'd like to have the truth. If Mr. Muhammad comes to the courtroom and tells the truth, he will fit in absolutely perfectly with our case.

DAVIS: Prosecutor Robert Horan tried to plant doubt in the jury's minds about Muhammad's control. Horan asked Muhammad's former girlfriend if she had ever seen Muhammad boss Malvo around. "No," she said. Was there any indication he had mental problems? "No, sir."

(on camera): Defense lawyers say Malvo has accepted the jury's recommendation of death for Muhammad with quiet resignation. They are now working to keep Malvo from the same fate.

Patty Davis, CNN, Chesapeake, Virginia.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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 26, 2003 - 07:11   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Was Lee Boyd Malvo a different person before he met convicted D.C.-area sniper John Muhammad? That was the theme in yesterday's testimony, as jurors heard people speak on the teenager's behalf. Malvo is accused of being Muhammad's accomplice in the shooting spree.
Patty Davis has this report from Chesapeake, Virginia.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PATTY DAVIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Lee Boyd Malvo smiled and laughed as relatives and friends warmly described him as a young boy in Jamaica. A friend said he was friendly. He was fun to be around. An aunt he lived with for more than a year called Malvo obedient and intelligent, and sobbed as she left the courtroom.

But Esmie McLeod said she grew concerned when Malvo attended her high school. There was an emotional vulnerability about Lee, the school vice principal said. She blamed it on Malvo's mother constantly moving him from place to place.

Defense lawyers contend convicted sniper John Muhammad zeroed in on that vulnerability and brainwashed Malvo. They're pursuing an insanity defense and have subpoenaed Muhammad to testify, although it's unclear if he'll appear.

CRAIG COOLEY, ATTORNEY FOR MALVO: We'd like to have the truth. If Mr. Muhammad comes to the courtroom and tells the truth, he will fit in absolutely perfectly with our case.

DAVIS: Prosecutor Robert Horan tried to plant doubt in the jury's minds about Muhammad's control. Horan asked Muhammad's former girlfriend if she had ever seen Muhammad boss Malvo around. "No," she said. Was there any indication he had mental problems? "No, sir."

(on camera): Defense lawyers say Malvo has accepted the jury's recommendation of death for Muhammad with quiet resignation. They are now working to keep Malvo from the same fate.

Patty Davis, CNN, Chesapeake, Virginia.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.