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Jury to Begin Deliberations in Sniper Trial

By Jeralyn, Section Crime in the News
Posted on Mon Dec 22, 2003 at 10:51:28 AM EST
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Update: The transcript of the defense closing argument is here.

The defense has rested and closing arguments have been completed in the sentencing phase of the "sniper" trial of John Lee Malvo. Malvo did not testify in his own defense, but his father testified for him. The jury is now deliberating on life or death for Malvo.

The defense lawyers were trying to elicit testimony from their witnesses that showed that Malvo had some remorse for the sniper murders and that he had some redeeming qualities that might convince the jury to sentence him life in prison without parole instead of death.

If sentenced to death, Malvo will be the youngest person on death row in the country.

Of the 7,466 men and women sentenced to death in the United States since 1973, 224 killed when they were juveniles. Twenty-two have been executed: 13 in Texas, accounting for 59 percent of the total; and 3 in Virginia, for 14 percent. .... fewer juvenile offenders are being sentenced to death and the rate is now at its lowest point in 15 years. In 1999, 15 juvenile offenders were sentenced to death but as of Nov. 15, only one juvenile killer has been sentenced to death in the United States this year.

Of the 38 states with the death penalty, the federal government and the military, 21 states permit the execution of juvenile offenders and only 13 of the 21 currently have a juvenile offender on their death rows.

There are 82 death row inmates nationwide who were under 18 at the time of their crime.

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