The murder trial of a man charged over a series of sniper-style killings that terrorised the Washington D.C. area last year starts today.
Mr John Muhammad (42) faces two capital murder charges in connection with the killing of Dean Myers (53), a Maryland man who was shot dead as he refuelled his car in Manassas, in Washington's western suburbs, on October 9th, 2002.
Along with his young traveling companion, Mr Lee Malvo, now 18, Mr Muhammad is linked to 10 fatal shootings in and around the US capital in October 2002. Three other people were wounded in the attacks.
In addition to the more customary murder charge, Mr Muhammad is also the first to be tried for murder under Virginia's anti-terrorism law, enacted after the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States.
Both charges carry a possible death sentence. In order to be seated, potential jurors must agree that they could impose the death penalty if Mr Muhammad is found guilty. Those who say they oppose execution will be automatically dismissed.
Mr Malvo, who was 17 when the crimes were committed, is being tried as an adult for a separate fatal shooting, which occurred just west of Washington.
His trial was moved to Chesapeake, a city not far from Virginia Beach, and is scheduled to begin on November 10. Malvo also faces a possible death sentence.