Rockville, Md. – A judge ruled Wednesday that John Allen Muhammad can represent himself at his trial for six killings during the 2002 Washington-area sniper attacks.
Circuit Judge James Ryan concluded that Muhammad is competent to represent himself despite evidence presented by his own attorneys that Muhammad might be mentally ill.
Muhammad is already under a death sentence for a sniper attack committed in Virginia.
Muhammad, 45, and Lee Boyd Malvo, 21, are accused of murdering 10 people and wounding three during the three-week rampage in October 2002 that spread fear across the Washington metropolitan area.
Muhammad’s trial in the six Montgomery County, Md., slayings is set for May 1. Malvo, who was also convicted in Virginia and sentenced to life in prison, is to go on trial in the fall.
Muhammad vehemently denied a psychiatrist’s report, presented by his lawyers, stating he is paranoid and delusional and has a form of schizophrenia.
