U.S. Supreme Court refuses to stop sniper execution

Posted to: Crime News Virginia
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This recent but undated photo from the Virginia Department of Corrections shows convicted sniper John Allen Muhammad. Muhammad, 48, is set to die by injection in a Virginia prison today, seven years after he and his teenage accomplice terrorized the area in and around the nation's capital for three weeks. (Virginia Department of Corrections)

Timeline: The trail of the case

Previous: How he came to face death

Two victims: Dean Meyers | Linda Franklin

Database: Executions in Virginia

The Associated Press
© November 9, 2009

RICHMOND

Unless Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine steps in, sniper mastermind John Allen Muhammad will be executed Tuesday for the attacks that terrorized the nation's capital region for three weeks in 2002.

Muhammad is set to die by injection at Greensville Correctional Center in Jarratt. His attorneys have asked Kaine to commute his sentence to life in prison because they say he is mentally ill. The U.S. Supreme Court turned down Muhammad's final appeal Monday.

Muhammad was sentenced to death for killing Dean Harold Meyers at a Manassas gas station during a spree that left 10 dead across Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C.

He and his teenage accomplice, Lee Boyd Malvo, also were suspected of fatal shootings in other states, including Louisiana, Alabama and Arizona.

For the families of those killed, the day is a long time coming.

Cheryll Witz is one of several victims' relatives who were going to watch the execution. Malvo confessed that, at Muhammad's direction, he shot her father, Jerry Taylor, on a Tucson, Ariz., golf course in March 2002.

"He basically watched my dad breathe his last breath," she said. "Why shouldn't I watch his last breath?"

The shootings terrorized the Washington region, with victims gunned down while doing everyday chores like shopping or pumping gas. People stayed indoors. Those who had to go outside weaved as they walked or bobbed their heads to make themselves less of a target.

The terror ended on Oct. 24, 2002, when police captured Muhammad and Malvo as they slept at a Maryland rest stop in a car they had outfitted so a shooter could hide in the trunk and fire through a hole in the body of the vehicle. Malvo is serving a life sentence in Virginia.

Death penalty opponents planned vigils across the state, and some were headed for Jarratt, about an hour south of Richmond, for the execution.

Beth Panilaitis, executive director of Virginians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, said those who planned to protest understand the fear that gripped the community, and the nation, during the attacks.

"The greater metro area and the citizens of Virginia have been safe from this crime for seven years," Panilaitis said. "Incarceration has worked and life without the possibility of parole has and will continue to keep the people of Virginia safe."

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Death Penalty

Submitted by cwc63995 on Tue, 11/10/2009 at 12:35 am.

The families of the people he killed, will finally get some closure for those whom this man killed. 12 citizens found this man guilty, and the Supreme Court Up held this verdict. I can see no good reason why Gov Kaine would reverse his sentence. Tomorrow night he will pay for the cowardly killings he committed with his own worthless life. This will hopefully send a message to those thugs who commit these crimes, and kill innocent people, that they will pay with their own life when they are caught. People like him, give Islam a bad name for such a "peaceful religion". May God comfort the families of those he killed.

muhammad's theism

Submitted by areaman3000 on Tue, 11/10/2009 at 12:30 am.

There is not much talk about Muhammad's theism but it seems to have been an important dietary influence during his incarceration. Was his faith not a factor in media coverage because of mental illness or was it not a factor because of post-9/11 sensitivities? Is there anyone more truly dangerous than a theist who decides to act upon his beliefs?

I have little symphathy for this guy

Submitted by Bob Farinelli on Mon, 11/09/2009 at 11:04 pm.

As a rule I am against the death penalty for two reasons. The vast legal cost and the remote possibility that an innocent person may be executed. However, there seems to be no realistic doubt about this man's guilt and the legal cost have already been paid. Furthermore, he has shown absolutely no remorse for his actions. So if they actually do put this guy asleep forever it won't sadden me much.

Cry Me a River

Submitted by factfinder on Mon, 11/09/2009 at 10:20 pm.

To listen to this lawyer whine and cry about this colb-blooded sniper's mental state makes me want to puke. He and is little assasin friend killed so many people and wounded so many others, but he didn't know what he was doing. Give me a break. This slug has never taken responsibility for his actions. He planned the shootings and then carried them out. Stick the needle in his arm and be done with this slime ball. He deserves to die. He has cost society enough, and I am not even talking about money.

If you need my help-----------

Submitted by lj17163 on Mon, 11/09/2009 at 10:13 pm.

I'll be more than happy to shove the needle in this guys arm.His lawyer should be ashamed and embarrased to dishonor our military by using PTSD as a defense for this piece of garbage! Personally I think legal injection is too humane for this guy!

This

Submitted by theredreaper on Mon, 11/09/2009 at 9:53 pm.

This is how the death penalty should move along every time. It shouldn't take 20 years or more to give someone the death penalty. When you are proven guilty of rape, murder or child molestation especially with DNA evidence you death should happen swiftly. I'm rather impressed at how quickly this deserving death sentence is taking place.

Johnny boy...

Submitted by chunkymonkey on Mon, 11/09/2009 at 9:33 pm.

Say Buh Bye...

Save tax payer dollars

Submitted by Mark Burns on Mon, 11/09/2009 at 8:57 pm.

Time to take the dirt nap!

LIfe in prison is worse

Submitted by Blueneck on Mon, 11/09/2009 at 8:55 pm.

Killing him just puts him out of his misery. A much worse punishment would be to let him rot in there for the rest of his life.

Say what you may

Submitted by michaell12511 on Mon, 11/09/2009 at 7:53 pm.

but I think our Governor has done a superb job by not inserting his anti-death penalty feelings into his job. I am hard core Republican but he has my respect for not going against the wishes of the state or courts (or the majority of citizens) in executing properly tried and convicted bad people. And his lawyer - please - do not insult us honorable veterans with that garbage about "before Veterans day". He's no honorable veteran. Let him slip away into infamy.

City could make money

Submitted by trubullitt on Mon, 11/09/2009 at 7:42 pm.

If they open the show to the public many will pay to see garbage be disposed of.

I would pay to see it on

Submitted by elvisthepelvis77 on Mon, 11/09/2009 at 11:10 pm.

I would pay to see it on pay-per-view. Better getcher popcorn ready!

jrr0863

Submitted by trubullitt on Mon, 11/09/2009 at 7:37 pm.

An education well help you make it through life.

john allen muhammed

Submitted by richardmay2 on Mon, 11/09/2009 at 7:11 pm.

If he was mentally ill, he could not tell right from wrong. When he crawled out of sight to shoot he knew he was wrong. When he hid out to avoid capture, he knew he was wrong. When he wrote a letter taunting the police, he knew he was doing wrong. He's not mentally ill, he is a low-down murderer. He never gave his victims the right to appeal.