Two men Arrested in Sniper Case
 

Two Men Arrested in Sniper Case
Two Men Arrested in Connection With Sniper Case; Car Spotted at Maryland Rest Stop

The Associated Press



FREDERICK, Md. Oct. 24 — Two men wanted for questioning in the wave of deadly sniper attacks were arrested early Thursday after they were found sleeping in their car at a Maryland rest stop, authorities said.

The arrests came amid a flurry of activity in the investigation of the attacks that have killed 10 people and wounded three others since Oct. 2.

The break occurred hours after authorities descended on a home in Tacoma, Wash., that was believed to hold clues important to the investigation. They then issued a nationwide alert for the car, spotted by a motorist and an attendant at the rest stop.

Members of the sniper task force arrested the men without incident at 3:19 a.m. off I-70 in Frederick County, Md., about 50 miles northwest of the nation's capital, said Larry Scott, an agent for the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

The men were arrested in a car that matched a description police gave at a midnight press briefing, said Maj. Greg Shipley, a spokesman for the Maryland State Police.

"I don't know what their reaction was," Shipley said. "It wasn't an aggressive one."

Montgomery County Police Chief Charles Moose, who is leading the investigation, said John Allen Muhammad, 42, was being sought for questioning in the slayings and called him "armed and dangerous." Muhammad was said to be traveling with a juvenile, identified by a law enforcement source as 17-year-old Lee Malvo.

The relationship between Muhammad, who also goes by the name John Allen Williams, and the teen was not clear, but several newspapers reported that Malvo is Muhammad's stepson.

A law enforcement source close to the investigation told The Associated Press that "I'm confident that these are indeed the people" sought in the killings.

"The evidence is all there and because of things we've received in the communications," the source said on the condition on anonymity. "It fits together with evidence they've collected in the last couple days."

Several federal sources told the Seattle Times that Muhammad and Malvo may have been motivated by anti-American sentiments in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks. Both were known to speak sympathetically about the men who hijacked jetliners over Washington, New York and Pennsylvania, the sources said.

But neither man was believed to be associated with the al-Qaida terrorist network, sources said.

The Times reported that Muhammed was stationed at Fort Lewis outside Tacoma in the 1980s, served in the Gulf War and was later stationed at Fort Ord, Calif. Malvo, who authorities said is a citizen of Jamaica, attended high school in Bellingham, Wash., last year.

Shipley said the men were being transported to Montgomery County, where the investigation is based.

The witnesses at the rest stop called police at 1 a.m. after they spotted the men sleeping inside one of the cars sought in the investigation a blue 1990 Chevrolet Caprice.

Moose had cautioned that it shouldn't be assumed Muhammad is involved in any of the shootings that have stricken the Washington area since Oct. 2.

On Wednesday, authorities opened two new avenues in the investigation: FBI agents spent hours at the Tacoma home, eventually carting away a tree stump from the yard and other potential evidence in a U-Haul truck.

And in Montgomery, Ala., Mayor Bobby Bright said federal authorities were investigating whether a fatal shooting there last month was linked to the sniper.

Bright said a caller to the sniper investigation tip line apparently claimed responsibility for the sniper shootings and the Montgomery shooting Sept. 21. One woman was killed and another wounded.

A law enforcement source told the AP that police found a piece of paper at the scene of the Alabama shooting that bore Malvo's fingerprints. Police then traced Malvo to the Tacoma home, where he had been living with Williams, a source told the AP.

Late Wednesday night, Moose held a media briefing here he issued his latest cryptic message in his ongoing dialogue with the sniper.

"You have indicated that you want us to do and say certain things. You've asked us to say, 'We have caught the sniper like a duck in a noose.' We understand that hearing us say this is important to you," Moose said.

He also expressed frustration at the failure to make contact despite the sniper's repeated attempts through "notes, indirect messages and calls to other jurisdictions." He asked the sniper to call.

A Fort Lewis spokesman did not return a call for comment on whether Muhammad was stationed on the base.

Felix Strozier, who ran a karate school with Williams in 1997 and 1998, said Williams told him he had been in the Army but did not say where.

Pfc. Chris Waters, a Fort Lewis soldier who lives across the street from the Tacoma home, said he called police after hearing gunshots in the neighborhood nearly every day in January.

"It sounded like a high-powered rifle such as an M-16," he said. "Never more than three shots at a time. Pow. Pow. Pow."

Dean Resop, who lives a block away, said quite a few tenants had been in and out of the home.

"Makes you want to watch your neighbors closer," said Resop, who has lived in the area seven years.

FBI agents also visited Bellingham High School, 90 miles north of Seattle, on Wednesday. Mayor Mark Asmundson told the Bellingham Herald the agents were apparently seeking information on a male teenager who once attended the school and an older man. He said both left the area about nine months ago.


Associated Press writers Stephen Manning and Jesse J. Holland contributed to this report.

Sidebar Thought: Are they too quick to rush to judgement because this is a BLACK man (or men)? Could there be more?

I think that there are more and this will be proved with another shooting. As far as the suspects being guilty, it seems as though there is sufficient "evidence"; but we all know that evidence can be created.

:cool:

I agree. I can't help but wonder if these men are decoys. I hope I am wrong and this is the end of it, but something just is sitting right with me. After the way the shooter has managed to evade police, to find these two sleeping in a car just seems too convenient.

Me too..however,historically, the assumption has been if he is a "suspect" he's guilty (even though the proof in this case seem to mount against them and if they are guilty I hope they rot in hell...:mad: ). I worry if this will enlarge the circle of racial profiling that exists in America.

WHAT THE HE** IS GOING ON!

I am sorry but they found a gun, the 17 year-olds fingerprint at a Alabama robbery and the stolen credit card from the robbery is the one that the sniper wanted $10 million wired to. I find it hard to believe a BLACK man would do this but hey the evidence seems to be mounting up.

Tsk tsk.....what is really goin on?

I just saw on the news that ballistic test show that the bullets found in the car of the two black men arrested are the same as those fired by the "sniper".

To Be Black in America...
 

I think it is so unfair that as African Americans, we must always operate under racial dichotomies;
I am shocked that the suspects are African-American, because we usually have more regard for human life than to go around killing people randomly, but then again we are quick to buss a cap in a ni**er to steal his new Jordan's.

I am so conflicted right now, I can't even think straight. It is possible that these are the guys.

As far as catching them after all this time after evading law enforcement, last night was the first time they released the license plate number, so that made it much easier.

One last thing, I heard on CNN earlier this week that the police were unable to understand the snipers demands because of a heavy accent, as it turns out, one of the suspects is a Jamaican citizen. So, I don't know what to think.:(

What upsets me most is that at least three of the victims were also black (the man en route to Philadelphia, the teen who survived, and the bus driver) as well. What kind of shiznit were these people (the suspects) on?

Re: To Be Black in America...
 

That's funny my husband said the EXACT same thing this morning...

But what is more interesting is that no one can believe that this was a black man that was able to outsmart the police nor does he fit the "profile". So what does this say about "profiling" in America and the stereotypes associated with different races and cultures.
Blacks SEEM as a whole to be embarrassed that this was a "brother". It's like we (or media sources) are trying to push this under the rug by saying "he's not black, he's jamaican" or "he's a muslim" and muslims are saying "he can't be associated with our faith because REAL muslims practice the ways of Muhummed and the Koran". But doesn't it also seem that we as a whole understand the ramifications of this being that the suspect is (or are )a BLACK male(s)? I mean his FORMER family members are receiving death threats already. Unfortunately, our culture seems to suffer from the brunt of ONE individual. (Remember O.J. that debate and anger still lingers. More recently the case in Harlem regarding the 5 black youth.) It also seems like there is an underlying tone of stereotypical behavior regarding us (this includes all races and nationalities)in America.
Although, I am truly shocked I think that Americans have become paralyzed with fear because every color of the spectrum has made some type of terroist attack on America. So can we truly label who to profile?

Thought: If the step-son had not called the priest they probably would have not been caught so soon..

Miss Priss:


Thought: If the step-son had not called the priest they probably would have not been caught so soon..

????
What priest? I didn't hear anything about a priest:confused:

@Mavendrec

Yes, media reports mention that one of the suspects(Malvo) called a priest to confess crimes committed in Montgomery, Alabama. So the priest reported it to the police.

Cynthia Tucker
 

Here's a column on the sniper suspects, with some interesting history lessons:

http://www.accessatlanta.com/ajc/opinion/tucker/

Malvo's mother is being deported to Jamaica. Is this fair?

According to news reports, they're both here illegally. She withdrew some type of abuse petition, and a judge decided that she had no other legal basis to remain here, and signed a deportation order. At this point, the only thing that could keep her in the country would be testifying at the trials, but federal attorneys have basically said they don't need her.

I guess she's good as gone....

TTT
 

GUILTY ON ALL CHARGES!!!!

Click here for full story

Malvo Guilty of Murder in Sniper Spree
 

Malvo Guilty of Murder in Sniper Spree

49 minutes ago
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By MATTHEW BARAKAT, Associated Press Writer
CHESAPEAKE, Va. - A jury convicted Lee Boyd Malvo of capital murder in the Washington-area sniper case Thursday, rejecting claims that the teenager was brainwashed by John Allen Muhammad into taking part in the three-week reign of terror that left 10 people dead.

The jury now will decide whether Malvo should be sentenced to death or life in prison without parole. A jury in nearby Virginia Beach convicted Muhammad last month and recommended that he be executed for his role as the mastermind of the killings.
Malvo, whose expressions had often been animated throughout the trial, leaned on his elbows at the table with a blank look on his face while the verdict was read. The jury had deliberated for 13 hours over two days.
Malvo, 18, was convicted of two counts of capital murder in the Oct. 14, 2002, killing of FBI (news - web sites) analyst Linda Franklin, who was cut down by a bullet to the head outside a Home Depot in Falls Church, Va. The sentencing phase will begin Friday.
Franklin's daughter, Katrina Hannum, cried after the verdict. Other members of her family and other people in the courtroom patted each other on the shoulders.
"I'm happy," said June Boyle, the detective who heard Malvo's confession. "Not all the way happy yet, though. We still have sentencing to do."
One of the counts against Malvo alleged the killing was part of a series of murders over a three-year period; the other alleged that Franklin's killing was intended to terrorize the public. Malvo and Muhammad, 42, are the first two people tried under the post-Sept. 11 terrorism law.
Attorney General John Ashcroft (news - web sites) 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. Malvo was 17 at the time of the sniper rampage.
Prosecutors portrayed Malvo as a gleeful and eager triggerman in the October 2002 killing spree, saying he fired shots from the trunk of a beat-up Chevy while Muhammad plotted the attacks.
Ten people were killed and three were wounded during the spree — most them as they went about their daily routines. A 13-year-old boy was wounded after being dropped off at school. A mother was gunned down as she vacuumed her minivan at gas station. One victim was mowing grass when he was killed. Another was buying groceries.
Authorities say the killings were part of an attempt to extort $10 million from the government.
During his closing argument, prosecutor Robert F. Horan Jr. called Malvo and Muhammad "peas in a pod," motivated by greed and wickedness.
"Their belief, as wild and vicious as it was, was that if they killed enough people, the government would come around" and meet their demand for money, Horan said.
During the six-week trial, jurors saw several grisly crime scene photos and heard two police confessions in which a cocky Malvo gloated about the killings. "I intended to kill them all," he said on one tape.
In a separate conversation with a detective, Malvo chuckled as he recalled how one victim fell after being struck, while the lawnmower he had been pushing rumbled along.
He bragged that he and Muhammad could pull off a shooting regardless of police presence. "You don't mean nothing," he told a detective. "We will shoot with you there. We shoot with you not there. We will shoot with soldiers there."
The defense contended that the confession was fabricated by Malvo to protect Muhammad, the man he had come to view as a father. The defense said Muhammad brainwashed Malvo, leaving his unable to tell right from wrong.

"Lee could no more separate himself from John Muhammad than you could separate from your shadow on a sunny day," defense attorney Michael Arif said in closing arguments. "He was not the idea man. He was a puppet, molded like a piece of clay by John Muhammad."
The decision to convict on capital murder means that the jury believes Malvo was the triggerman in Franklin's death.
The jury could have convicted Malvo of first-degree murder, which would have taken the death penalty off the table. In addition to the murder charges, Malvo was found guilty of using a firearm in a murder.
Malvo, in his initial confession to police, had claimed to be the triggerman in all the Washington-area sniper shootings, but subsequently recanted and said Muhammad was the shooter in all but the final shooting.
Defense lawyers called several experts to bolster the insanity defense, including an expert on child soldiers who testified how youngsters with unstable family lives are vulnerable to brainwashing. A cult expert made a similar point.
Although Malvo's mother often dropped out of his life as a child, the teenager's father testified that he had a loving relationship with his son and described him as obedient.
Malvo and Muhammad could stand trial again. Prosecutors in Maryland and Louisiana have said they want a crack at Muhammad, and Malvo could face a similar fate.
Virginia is one of only six states that have actually executed a juvenile since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976, according to the Death Penalty Information Center.
Muhammad was convicted of identical charges for the killing of Dean Harold Meyers at a gas station. The judge could reduce his punishment to life in prison when he sentences Muhammad in February, although Virginia judges rarely overrule a jury's recommendation of death.

Judge sentences sniper to death/Jury had also decided execution for Muhammad
The Associated Press
Updated: 12:45 p.m. ET March 09, 2004
MANASSAS, Va. - John Allen Muhammad was sentenced to death Tuesday for his role in the sniper shootings that terrorized the Washington area.
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Circuit Judge LeRoy Millette Jr. turned aside a plea from Muhammad’s lawyers to spare their client’s life. He ordered Muhammad executed on Oct. 14, but that date likely will be postponed to allow appeals.
Muhammad, 43, was convicted of capital murder on Nov. 17 and a jury recommended he be sentenced to death for the murder of Dean Harold Meyers at a gas station near Manassas.

'I had nothing to do with this'
Muhammad denied any involvement in the killings Tuesday, telling the judge, “Don’t make a fool of the Constitution of the United States of America.”
“Just like I said at the beginning, I had nothing to do with this, and I’ll say again, I had nothing to do with this,” Muhammad said.

Prosecutor sees "evil"March 9: After a judge upheld the death penalty, prosecutor Paul Ebert said he saw "nothing but evil" in John Allen Muhammad. MSNBC


Defense lawyers had filed a motion Monday arguing that life in prison was the more appropriate sentence to eliminate the disparity between Muhammad’s punishment and that of his 18-year-old partner in the killings, Lee Boyd Malvo.
Defense motions filed Friday had asked Millette to show leniency, citing Muhammad’s lack of a previous criminal background, the effect of an execution on Muhammad’s children and the general sanctity of human life.
“We do a disservice to our children when we kill,” wrote defense lawyers Jonathan Shapiro and Peter Greenspun. “Whether sanctioned by the state or not, killing is killing. And when the news goes out that John Muhammad was killed with the blessing of the court, the prosecutors, the legislature and the governor, children come to understand that killing is an acceptable thing.”
Malvo up Wednesday
Malvo, who will be formally sentenced Wednesday in Chesapeake, was given life in prison by the jury in that case. Circuit Judge Jane Marum Roush has no leeway to alter that sentence. In Virginia, judges can accept a jury’s sentence recommendation or reduce it, but cannot increase it.
“It offends the Constitution to execute Muhammad and to save Malvo,” Muhammad’s lawyers wrote, arguing that Malvo was a willful killer who actually pulled the trigger in the Meyers killing. “No rational basis exists to distinguish Malvo from Muhammad.”
Muhammad’s defense also wants to limit victim-impact testimony Tuesday to the Meyers family. Prosecutor Paul Ebert said Monday he wants other families who lost loved ones during the killing spree to testify.