Advertisement

Judge orders new sentencing hearing for D.C. sniper Lee Boyd Malvo

By Amy R. Connolly
A federal judge ruled convicted D.C. sniper Lee Boyd Malvo must be re sentenced because the life sentences imposed when he was a teen are unconstitutional. Screenshot from CBS News
1 of 2 | A federal judge ruled convicted D.C. sniper Lee Boyd Malvo must be re sentenced because the life sentences imposed when he was a teen are unconstitutional. Screenshot from CBS News

May 27 (UPI) -- A federal judge ruled convicted D.C. Sniper Lee Boyd Malvo must be resentenced because the life sentences imposed when he was a teen are unconstitutional.

The judge ordered two state courts to hold new sentencing hearings for Malvo, who was 17 when he was sentenced in 2004. Malvo, and John A. Muhammad, were convicted of killing 10 people and injuring three others during a three-week period in October 2002. Malvo, now 32, appealed the decision based on a 2012 Supreme Court ruling that mandatory life sentences without the possibility of parole are unconstitutional for juveniles. The court decided the ruling should be applied retroactively.

Advertisement

The federal judge ordered the four life sentences Malvo received in Virginia be vacated and ordered resentencing. The ruling does not apply to the six life sentences he received in Maryland but his attorney is appealing in state and federal courts on the same grounds.

Muhammad was executed for his role in the shootings in 2009.

Advertisement

Latest Headlines