FAIRFAX, Va., Oct. 9 (UPI) -- Lawyers for sniper suspect Lee Boyd Malvo told a judge Thursday they plan to present an insanity defense when the teenager stands trial.
But another judge Thursday, hearing the case of Malvo co-defendant John Allen Muhammad, barred Muhammad's lawyers from presenting any mental health testimony.
The Washington Post said Malvo's lawyers filed their notice shortly after a pretrial hearing on the case. It is based on an expert's evaluation of their client, although prosecutors claim the report will not support an insanity plea.
The ruling in the Muhammad case came after the defendant refused to be interviewed by a forensic psychiatrist. The Post said Muhammad declined to be interviewed Wednesday because his attorneys weren't present, and he refused again Thursday even with his attorneys urging him to cooperate.
Muhammad, 42, and Malvo, 18, are charged in all 10 sniper slayings that occurred in the Washington area last October. Muhammad goes on trial next week for the Oct. 9, 2002, slaying of Dean Meyers at a gas station north of Manassas, Va. Malvo is charged in the Oct. 14 slaying of Linda Franklin at a Home Depot store in Fairfax County, Va.
