Lee Boyd Malvo blatantly went on a shooting spree last fall killing 10 innocent citizens, and now he is trying to get off the hook by claiming he was “indoctrinated” by John Allen Muhammad.
However, to be indoctrinated, a person cannot know what is going on at the time he or she commits the crime.
This 18-year-old knew exactly what he was doing when he joined Muhammad.
He knew what he was doing when he picked up the gun, and he certainly knew what he was doing when he pulled that trigger – repeatedly.
The United States court system must not let this young man get off the hook.
He must be found guilty for the charges brought against him.
Not only to avenge the deaths of those he killed, but also to set a precedent for anyone else who is considering going on a rampage.
The trial, which is set to begin Nov. 10, is being held because Malvo allegedly shot and killed FBI analyst Linda Franklin Oct. 14 while she was loading her car outside a Home Depot in Falls Church, Virginia.
If convicted, Malvo will be sentenced to death.
The death penalty is being pursued because Malvo will be tried as an adult, even though he was 17 years old when he allegedly committed these crimes.
Clearly, whenever a person brings harm to another he or she should be tried as an adult.
It does not matter if the person is 14 or a day away from 18; the offense was committed.
If the court finds Malvo not guilty by reason of insanity, he will enter a psychiatric care facility and remain there until he is no longer deemed a threat to himself or the public.
This is certainly not justice.
Going to a psychiatric facility will just allow him time to sit in a room and plan other sprees while he convinces the doctors he is “healed.”
He must go to jail and receive the highest penalty for his actions.
Dominique Drake for the Editorial Board