May 21, 2013
Five media companies said they want access to a preliminary hearing for sniper suspect John Lee Malvo.
Malvo, 17, and John Allen Muhammad, who's 42, have been accused of shooting 18 people --- killing 13 and wounding five--- in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. They are facing trial first in Virginia.
The Washington post, the New York Times and the Associated Press are among the companies who want to be in the courtroom.
Tuesday’s hearing will be the first large presentation of evidence in the sniper case. Prosecutors have to demonstrate probable cause and present enough evidence ---against Malvo --- to convince a judge to send the case to a grand jury, so that Malvo can be prosecuted as an adult.
Muhammad is awaiting trial in neighboring prince William County.
