Documents taken from sniper suspect Malvo's cell block

FAIRFAX, Va. -- Writings and drawings were taken secretly by officials from a cell block where sniper suspect Lee Boyd Malvo was held and incorrectly made public, said attorneys for Malvo and his co-defendant.

The two pages of notes and pictures scribbled on the back of Fairfax County jail forms were photocopied and provided to investigators on the task force preparing for the trials of Malvo, 18, and John Allen Muhammad, 42. They were published Sunday by The Washington Post.

Michael Arif, one of Malvo's lawyers, declined to discuss the documents. "We can't comment on whether the drawings are from him or not," Arif told the Post.

Muhammad's lawyer, Peter Greenspun, also questioned the validity of the writings and said they should not have been published.

"It shows the media is looking for any reason to print anything in this case, whether it has merit or not," Greenspun said. "This type of reporting makes it more difficult to get a fair and neutral jury."

Fairfax Commonwealth's Attorney Robert Horan Jr. declined to comment on the writings, other than to say, "They are interesting, to say the least."

Malvo and Muhammad have been accused of shooting 19 people, killing 13 and wounding six, in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C.

However, the Post said sources close to the investigation said Horan might use them during a penalty phase to convince jurors that Malvo would endanger others if allowed to live.

Several law enforcement sources told the Post they are confident the drawings and writings are Malvo's. Both pages of the writing are signed "John Lee Muhammad," the name Muhammad gave to Malvo during their travels, according to sources close to the investigation.

The documents feature scattered writings, including lyrics from reggae songs, references to the movie "The Matrix," quotes from various philosophers and references to Islam. There are also drawings that resemble newspaper photographs of Malvo, with the addition of crosshairs of a sniper scope centered on Malvo's head.

The second page features what appears to be a tracing of a photograph of Malvo in shackles, guarded by a uniformed man. "Bondage" is written across Malvo's chest. Cartoon bubbles coming from Malvo have him saying "Justice be done!" "I'll never give up my pride even though I'm broken up inside," a lyric by Jamaican reggae singer Luciano, and "What is meant to be will be! Death!" The page also features snippets of lyrics from several songs by reggae star Bob Marley.

Malvo and Muhammad have been accused of shooting 19 people, killing 13 and wounding six, in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C.

Malvo is awaiting trial in Fairfax on capital murder charges in the shooting of FBI analyst Linda Franklin. Muhammad faces trial in Prince William County on similar charges in the shooting of Dean Myers.