Lawyer blasts police for leaks in sniper case

MANASSAS, Va. -- The lawyer for sniper suspect John Allen Muhammad denounced the "cowards in law enforcement" Wednesday for leaking details of the investigation to a newspaper.

The comments by Peter Greenspun came after Muhammad made his second appearance in a Prince William County courthouse to face capital murder charges in a fatal Oct. 9 shooting at a Manassas-area gas station.

Greenspun asked the judge to wait until Dec. 12 to set a trial date, partly waiving Muhammad's right to a speedy trial. That means a trial would have to begin by early May, unless Muhammad waives additional rights. Prosecutor Paul Ebert has said he expects the case to take a year or so to get to trial.

Muhammad, 41, sat impassively during the hearing, saying only "yes, sir," when asked by Circuit Judge Leroy F. Millette if he needed court-appointed counsel.

Greenspun saved his strongest comments for after the hearing. He accused police of trying to poison the jury pool by anonymously telling the Washington Post the other sniper suspect, John Lee Malvo, 17, had confessed to some of the shootings.

"I think there are cowards in law enforcement who ... wanted to taint the jury pool, who wanted to seal public perception in this case," Greenspun said.

"I am hopeful the public will keep an open mind in this case and not listen to the innuendo, half-truths and misinformation coming from law enforcement sources."

Both Muhammad and Malvo could face the death penalty.

The two are suspected in a months-long shooting rampage that left 14 people dead and five others wounded in Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C., Washington state, Alabama, Georgia and Louisiana.

Authorities detain suspect wanted for questioning

NEW YORK -- A man wanted for questioning about the Washington-area sniper suspects is being held in a New York jail on passport fraud charges.

Peter John Gianquinto Jr., 53, a felon who has used several aliases, was arrested Nov. 4 as he left his doctor's office in Manhattan.

He appeared in federal court the next day on charges he submitted a bogus Rutgers University ID card to obtain a passport.

Authorities in the Caribbean island of Antigua have linked Gianquinto to sniper suspect John Muhammad, saying that the two men were seen there together several times.

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