This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/8351437.stm
The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 7 | Version 8 |
|---|---|
| US sniper execution appeal denied | US sniper execution appeal denied |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The US Supreme Court has rejected an appeal for a stay of execution from lawyers for the man behind the 2002 sniper attacks in Washington DC. | The US Supreme Court has rejected an appeal for a stay of execution from lawyers for the man behind the 2002 sniper attacks in Washington DC. |
| John Allen Muhammad is due to be executed on Tuesday for the murder of Dean Harold Meyers, one of 10 people killed during three weeks of attacks. | John Allen Muhammad is due to be executed on Tuesday for the murder of Dean Harold Meyers, one of 10 people killed during three weeks of attacks. |
| The court gave no reason for the rejection of the clemency appeal. | The court gave no reason for the rejection of the clemency appeal. |
| Muhammad, 48, has one final appeal for clemency pending before the Virginia Governor, Timothy Kaine. | |
| Muhammad's then teenage accomplice, Lee Boyd Malvo, is serving life in prison for his part in the attacks. | Muhammad's then teenage accomplice, Lee Boyd Malvo, is serving life in prison for his part in the attacks. |
| He basically watched my dad breathe his last breath. Why shouldn't I watch his last breath? Cheryll Witz Sniper's motive remains mystery | He basically watched my dad breathe his last breath. Why shouldn't I watch his last breath? Cheryll Witz Sniper's motive remains mystery |
| The two men killed six people in Alabama and Louisiana before moving on to Maryland, Washington and Virginia. | The two men killed six people in Alabama and Louisiana before moving on to Maryland, Washington and Virginia. |
| Mr Meyers was shot at a petrol station in Manassas, Virginia. | Mr Meyers was shot at a petrol station in Manassas, Virginia. |
| Muhammad will die by lethal injection at a prison in Virginia but his lawyers have criticised the court ruling. | Muhammad will die by lethal injection at a prison in Virginia but his lawyers have criticised the court ruling. |
| "Virginia will execute a severely mentally ill man who also suffered from Gulf War Syndrome," the Associated Press news agency quoted lawyer Jonathan Sheldon as saying. | "Virginia will execute a severely mentally ill man who also suffered from Gulf War Syndrome," the Associated Press news agency quoted lawyer Jonathan Sheldon as saying. |
| Mr Sheldon also criticised the timing of the execution, due the day before Veterans Day, a US public holiday honouring the military. | Mr Sheldon also criticised the timing of the execution, due the day before Veterans Day, a US public holiday honouring the military. |
| 'No remorse' | 'No remorse' |
| Correspondents say the execution revives memories of a time when the Washington area was paralysed with fear. | Correspondents say the execution revives memories of a time when the Washington area was paralysed with fear. |
| 7 years on Washington residents recall sense of fear while sniper was on the loose | 7 years on Washington residents recall sense of fear while sniper was on the loose |
| People were shot while shopping, filling up their car at a petrol station or just sitting and reading, always with a single round and from a distance. | People were shot while shopping, filling up their car at a petrol station or just sitting and reading, always with a single round and from a distance. |
| After three weeks, Muhammad was arrested at a truck stop, along with Lee Malvo, who was only 17 at the time. | After three weeks, Muhammad was arrested at a truck stop, along with Lee Malvo, who was only 17 at the time. |
| While they killed 10 people around Washington, the pair are also suspected of murders elsewhere. | While they killed 10 people around Washington, the pair are also suspected of murders elsewhere. |
| Lawyers say John Muhammad has never shown remorse. | Lawyers say John Muhammad has never shown remorse. |
| Cheryll Witz is one of several victims' relatives who are going to watch his execution. Her father, Jerry Taylor, was shot by Malvo - at Muhammad's direction - on an Arizona golf course in March 2002. | Cheryll Witz is one of several victims' relatives who are going to watch his execution. Her father, Jerry Taylor, was shot by Malvo - at Muhammad's direction - on an Arizona golf course in March 2002. |
| "He basically watched my dad breathe his last breath," she told the Associated Press. | "He basically watched my dad breathe his last breath," she told the Associated Press. |
| "Why shouldn't I watch his last breath?" | "Why shouldn't I watch his last breath?" |
| HOW MUHAMMAD AND MALVO MURDERED THEIR VICTIMS Killers targeted shopping malls, schools and petrol stationsModified blue Chevrolet Caprice used as cover and firing pointPair used high-power sniper rifle and scopeVictims were killed by single shot fired from distance |