US museum murder suspect in court

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An 89-year-old white supremacist accused of murdering a guard at Washington DC's Holocaust museum has made his first appearance in court.

James von Brunn, a Holocaust-denier who ran a racist, anti-Semitic website, asked for a "fair and speedy trial".

Von Brunn was remanded in custody as experts weigh up whether he is fit for trial. He was shot in the face during the 10 June attack and hospitalised.

If convicted of first-degree murder he could face execution.

'Prejudice-based' crime

During the 30-minute hearing in Washington, von Brunn, who sat in a wheelchair throughout, addressed the judge directly in a halting voice.

"Your constitution guarantees me a speedy and fair trial," he said.

Museum guards shot von Brunn after he opened fire

"I'm a United States citizen and as a US naval officer I swore to protect my country. I take my vows very seriously."

Von Brunn served in the US Navy during World War II.

He has been charged with first-degree murder, killing in a federal building and bias-motivated crime.

Security guard Stephen Tyrone Johns, 39, was holding the door open for von Brunn when he was shot.

Mr Johns later died of his injuries at a hospital in Washington.

The indictment accuses von Brunn of "wilfully, deliberately, maliciously and with premeditation and malice" committing first-degree murder.

It also alleges that he carried out the shooting attack with "prejudice" based "on the actual or perceived race and religion of another".