Judge Denies New Sentencing Hearing For DC Sniper

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- A Montgomery County Circuit Court judge has denied a new sentencing hearing for convicted sniper Lee Malvo.

The convicted D.C. sniper, who is now 32 years old, remains jailed for life for his role in the attacks that terrorized our region and left nearly a dozen people dead.

Malvo's attorneys argued that his life sentences should be thrown out.

A Maryland judge ruled that Malvo was among the most uncommon of juvenile offenders, who deserve life sentences.

He was just a 17-year-old when convicted of one of the most heinous attacks in American history.

While Malvo was hoping for a new sentence in Maryland, he remains jailed for life.

"If anyone remembers those three weeks, it was like we were under a terrorist attack. No one was ever the same after," said Montgomery County State's Attorney John McCarthy.

It's been nearly 15 years since our region was gripped by fear, when Malvo and his accomplice, John Muhammad, traveled in a vehicle described as a sniper's nest, that had a hole cut out to fire shots.

The shooting spree left 10 people dead, and three wounded throughout Maryland, D.C., and Virginia.

Muhammed was later executed for his role, while Malvo was convicted of first-degree murder in both Maryland and Virginia, and sentenced to life without parole.

But just months ago, Malvo's attorney argued that the sentences should be thrown out after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that mandatory life sentences for juveniles are unconstitutional.

On Wednesday, a Montgomery County judge denied that request in Maryland, saying Malvo's original sentence "was procedurally legal under law of this state."

"The bottom line is this case is a lose-lose for Malvo all the way around, no matter how you look at it," McCarthy said.

A decision the Montgomery County state's attorney says he was confident they'd get.

While Malvo's attorney can still appeal, the denial of a new sentence brings more closure in a spree that years later, finds itself still making headlines.

A federal judge ruled that Malvo is entitled to new sentencing hearings in Virginia, a decision prosecutors have appealed.

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