Malvo (sniper's) lawyers challenge Virginia death penalty

Modesto Bee ^ | 2/13/03 | Matt Barakat

[hoosierskypilot]

FAIRFAX, Va. (AP) - Lawyers for sniper suspect Lee Boyd Malvo challenged the constitutionality of Virginia's death penalty law in court papers filed Wednesday. They also asked the judge to rule graphic crime scene photos inadmissible, grant access to evidence and regulate the number of deputies who will guard Malvo in the courtroom.

[Hodar]

Personally, I'm breathlessly waiting for the UN to comment on the harsh punishment that we are contemplating for a juvenile. < /sarcasm>

[anobjectivist]

These guys were caught red handed.

Too bad they didn't have their gun in their hands at the time they were found as they would've been executed with the speed they deserve.

[dighton]

In filing a motion to dismiss, defense attorneys argued that the Virginia death penalty law is unconstitutionally vague. The law allows a jury to impose the death penalty if it finds that a defendant's crime is "outrageously or wantonly vile" or that the defendant would commit future crimes that "would constitute a continuing serious threat to society."

Not the least bit vague, and a perfect fit for these defendants.

[el_texicano]

my opinion: the lawyer is just throwing all the manure he can up against the wall to see what sticks.

[dighton]

Yep.

[angkor]

Prosecutor Horan said months ago that he was expecting them to use everything they could. So there's zero surprise with this new twist (Hmmmm.... is Malvo still eating his "loaf"?)