VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., Nov. 10 (UPI) -- The prosecution rested its case Monday in the capital murder trial of accused D.C.-area sniper John Allen Muhammad after three weeks and 137 witnesses.
Public school security chiefs from the Washington area testified Monday about the terrifying effects of last year's sniper shootings, with FBI helicopters hovering overhead and children sitting in locked classrooms with blinds drawn.
The Washington Post said testimony also included experts who estimated merchants in just Virginia's Prince William County area lost about $35 million in lost sales.
The shootings took the lives of 10 people, wounding three others. Muhammad, 42, has pleaded innocent to capital murder, conspiracy and a weapons offense for one of those deaths.
Prosecutors allege Muhammad and an accomplice, Lee Boyd Malvo, 18, were responsible for the sniper siege last October. The teenager's trial started Monday in Chesapeake, Va., about 15 miles from the Virginia Beach courtroom where Muhammad's case is being heard.
Both trials were moved from Fairfax, Va., on motions for venue change.
The defense is to begin presenting witnesses Wednesday, a process expected to take about three days before the case goes to the jury.
Muhammad's lawyers asked the judge Monday to strike testimony from various witnesses, arguing prosecutors failed to prove Muhammad fired any fatal shots, as required by Virginia law. The judge said he would rule on the motion Wednesday.
