Ruling on Confession Expected in Sniper Case

A judge will rule in the next seven to 10 days on whether to toss out a confession by Washington-area sniper suspect Lee Boyd Malvo that his attorneys say was obtained illegally. After a hearing on the defense motion, Circuit Judge Jane Marum Roush said she wanted time to read the case law dealing with a suspect’s right to remain silent and right to a lawyer. The judge could throw out all or part of the confession. Malvo, 18, and John Muhammad, 42, are accused in 13 shooting deaths last fall. Both could face the death penalty.