DC Sniper is "going commando"
 

Sniper Complains to Judge About Underwear

Tue Aug 31, 4:58 PM ET

By MATTHEW BARAKAT, Associated Press Writer

FAIRFAX, Va. - Convicted sniper John Allen Muhammad complained to a judge Tuesday that his jailers refuse to let him wear underwear and have restricted his access to his legal files.

A sheriff's spokeswoman denied the claims made at the conclusion of a pretrial hearing in the second capital-murder case against Muhammad. Trial is scheduled for October.

"How does it make the courtroom safe with me coming in, no T-shirt, no underwear, no socks?" Muhammad asked Judge Jonathan Thacher.

Muhammad has been under especially tight security since a pretrial hearing last month in which he briefly slipped out of a waist chain, giving him a sizable length of chain that could have been used as a weapon.

He appeared in court Tuesday with his wrists cuffed closely to his sides. He winced in pain several times as deputies attempted to get him seated at the defense table. The deputies said Muhammad was resisting their efforts, but Muhammad said several times, "I'm not doing anything."

Muhammad was convicted and sentenced to death last year for the Oct. 9, 2002, murder of Dean Harold Meyers in Prince William County. The murder was one in a string of sniper attacks over three weeks that instilled fear in the Washington, D.C., area.

Prosecutors in Fairfax County seek a second capital murder conviction for the slaying of FBI (news - web sites) analyst Linda Franklin. They say the prosecution is necessary in case the initial death sentence is overturned on appeal.

Capt. Karen McClellan, a spokeswoman for the Fairfax County Sheriff's Office, said Muhammad has access to underwear, socks and T-shirts and is free to wear them. She said she did not know why Muhammad complained.

Muhammad also said jailers do not allow him enough access to mail from his lawyers and only allow him to access one of his legal files at a time.

"The excuse is, 'It's a fire hazard.' Who'll start a fire? I don't have any matches," he said. The judge told Muhammad he'd look into it.

Muhammad's lawyers argued in the two-day hearing that a change of venue is necessary because of the shootings' impact on the potential jury pool.

But prosecutors are opposed to a change, saying it will be easy to find an unbiased jury in Fairfax County — a large, diverse county of 1 million that attracts tens of thousands of new residents every year.

Thacher said he would rule on the issue shortly.

I'm thinking it's probably best if this guy doesn't bother wearing underwear in prison anyway.

Rights? What rights? You have the right to remain......... :)

Don't call us, we'll call you.

Errrr, i feel like offering $5 to the guy that rapes him first.

I think the bidding has long since closed on that item. If he's in general population at all, I guarantee he's already been poked in the brown eye more than once.

Do you think before you type? This is just offensive and wrong.

I know, his ass is worth at least 10 bucks.

Even joking about paying someone to rape another human being is just repugnant. How are rapists funny? You are beyond sick.

And so is capping people at a gas station too, when they are pumping gas. I lived in that area during the shootings. I was a bit scared. Someone should send you on a mission to bother someone else.

And my whole family lives in the same area - you think I wasn't scared? How does that have ANYTHING to do with suggesting somebody be violated, dehumanized, and sexually terrorized? I hope you never feel the horrible pain of rape.

I think life is jail is enough punishment for the dude. Jail is F'ed UP!

Did anyone else have the same thought I did, that the writer missed a perfect opportunity for a joke? All he had to do was replace 'files' wth 'briefs.'