Absent Muhammad still in the spotlight at Malvo trial
Chesapeake, Virginia-AP -- Even in silence, convicted sniper John Muhammad is expected to remain a focus of the defense today in the trial of alleged accomplice Lee Malvo. A judge today is expected to discuss whether his military records can be introduced.
Yesterday, Muhammad's wife and acquaintances testified as the defense laid out its insanity case. In fact, even though Muhammad is refusing to testify, jurors yesterday heard more about him than Malvo. The defense is trying to show Muhammad brainwashed their teenage client and molded him into a killer.
Mildred Muhammad testified that John Muhammad was a disciplinarian who "had to have complete control" of their three children.
Malvo's lawyers had hoped to put Muhammad on the stand this week, but learned that he would invoke his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. He still faces trials in other states.
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