Sniper Jury Returns Life Sentence
Posted on Tue Dec 23, 2003 at 04:27:54 PM EST
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A Virginia jury rejected the death penalty today for John Lee Malvo in the "sniper trial." Malvo was 17 at the time of the crimes. This is a resounding defeat for Ashcroft:
Attorney General John Ashcroft had cited Virginia's ability to impose "the ultimate sanction" in sending Malvo and Muhammad to Virginia for prosecution.
Virginia is one of only 21 states that allow the execution of those who were 16 or 17 when they killed. Since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976, Virginia is one of only six states that have actually executed someone whose crime was committed as a juvenile.
Update: Jurors talk about deliberations. The vote began 7 to 5 for death. They say they were anguished and tormented. Muhammad's jurors discuss the verdict here--some get it, some don't.
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