Sniper Anti-Death Penalty Motion Rejected

wired.com ^ | March 03, 2003

[Megalomaniac]

FAIRFAX, Va. (AP) -- A judge rejected defense arguments Monday that Virginia's death penalty law is unconstitutional and barred cameras in the courtroom for the trial of teenage sniper suspect Lee Boyd Malvo.

Malvo's lawyer had argued that the instructions given to a jury on when to recommend the death penalty are too vague.

[Commander8]

He murdered people, he should be executed. And I'm glad he will be.

[highpockets]

just think of the interest if'n these scumbags would'hv been white

Just ain't the same with'n out racism

makes me sad

[PoisedWoman]

he had little hope the judge would overturn the law.

Imagine that. He would have had better luck in California.

[El Laton Caliente]

It was racist. All the profilers said it was white, right wing and/or militia type males between 21 and 35.

Isn't that the same profile as they came up with the anthrax letters? Has to be domestic...

[Still Thinking]

"The law gives juries very little guidance in what we seek from them," lawyer Michael Arif told the judge.

They jury's opinion trumps the law.

[angkor]

Horan said in the very beginning that he expected the defense to throw in everything but the kitchen sink. That's because they have no case, and everyone knows it.