Sniper suspect's attorney calls police 'cowards' after leaks

MANASSAS, Va. -- The attorney 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 an Oct. 9 shooting at a Manassas-area gas station.

Greenspun asked the judge to wait until Dec. 12 to set a trial date, partially 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, 17-year-old John Lee Malvo, 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."

He said he has met with Muhammad and that he has been cooperative, but he declined to talk about evidence or trial tactics.

Both Muhammad and Malvo could face the death penalty. The two are suspected in a months-long shooting spree that left 14 people dead and five others wounded in Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C., Washington state, Alabama, Georgia and Louisiana.

Malvo, 17, is being held in the Fairfax County jail awaiting a Dec. 5 hearing. The teen is charged in the Oct. 14 slaying of FBI analyst Linda Franklin, 47, outside a home improvement store in Falls Church, Va.

Muhammad is charged with killing Dean Harold Meyers, 53.