Two men arrested on suspicion of involvement in the 10 Washington-area sniper killings will face the death penalty for an earlier killing in Alabama, authorities in the state said today.
Montgomery Police Chief Mr John Wilson said there was enough evidence to seek murder warrants against Mr John Allen Muhammad (41), a Gulf War veteran, and Mr John Lee Malvo (17) for the killing of a woman at an off-licence in Montgomery on September 21st.
"We are absolutely convinced we have a very strong case," Mr Wilson told a news conference in the Alabama capital. He said the evidence against the two men included identifications from several witnesses.
A gun found in the Washington sniper suspects' car has been linked to most of the shootings during the three-week rampage that killed 10 people.
Mr Muhammad and Mr Malvo are under arrest after being captured while sleeping in their car. A gun found in their car has been linked by ballistics to 11 of the 13 shootings. The gun is the civilian form of the M-16 military assault rifle. Police also found a scope and tripod in the car.
Mr Muhammad appeared in federal court in a Baltimore courthouse patrolled by a armed federal marshals.
He is due back in court on Tuesday on a federal firearms charge stemming from a 2000 court order in Tacoma, Washington, that barred him from harassing or using force against an ex-wife and children.
Mr Malvo is considered by the court to be a juvenile, and all of his proceedings are closed. Police say he is being held as a material witness.
Police have not ruled out other accomplices, including some who may have provided vehicles or other support.
AP
