Sniper suspect John Allen Muhammad, right, listens to court proceedings along with attorney Jonathan Shapiro, left, Oct. 20, 2003. In a surprise, last-minute request on the opening day of his murder trial, Muhammad won the right to act as his own lawyer. It was not clear why Muhammad decided to fire his lawyers.
Law enforcement officials from Prince William County unload evidence at the Virginia Beach Courthouse, Oct. 20, 2003. Prosecutors declined to discuss who the first witnesses were likely to be or what kinds of evidence they planned to present.
Law enforcement officials from Prince William County carry exhibits into the courthouse before the start of the trial, Oct. 20, 2003. Muhammad was charged in the slaying of Dean Harold Meyers, a 53-year-old Vietnam veteran who was gunned down outside a Virginia gas station. He was the seventh victim in a three-week shooting spree that killed 10 people in the Washington, D.C. area.
Muhammad delivers his opening argument as prosecutors Paul Ebert, left foreground seated, Richard Conway, seated center, and James Willett, seated right, listen in Courtroom 10 at the Virginia Beach Circuit Court in Virginia Beach, Va., Oct. 20, 2003. In his 20-minute opening statement, Muhammad said nothing about the shootings except to deny involvement.
Prince William County prosecutor James Willett handles the weapon used in the sniper shootings as Judge LeRoy Millette Jr. listens during opening arguments, Oct. 20, 2003. Willett told the jury he planned to link Muhammad and Malvo to most of the sniper shootings.
The weapon used in the sniper shootings is displayed on a table in front of the jury as Prince William County prosecutor James Willett, background, gestures during opening arguments, Oct. 20, 2003.
Sniper expert Sgt. Major Mark Spicer, of the British Army, holds up a book about snipers during testimony in Muhammad trial, Oct. 20, 2003. Spicer testified that a sniper's "main weapon is his ability to spread terror over a much larger force than himself." He added that snipers work in two-man teams, and that it would be nearly impossible to be successful working alone.
Muhammad handles a rifle sight telescope during cross examination of British Army sniper expert Sgt. Maj. Mark Spicer, Oct. 20, 2003. Acting as his own lawyer meant Muhammad might end up cross-examining his accusers, perhaps survivors of the shootings, maybe even fellow suspect Lee Boyd Malvo.
Michael Arif, attorney for Lee Boyd Malvo, leaves the Virginia Beach Courthouse during a lunch break, Oct. 20, 2003, in Virginia Beach, Va. His own trial for the sniper shootings was scheduled for Nov. 10, 2003.
Muhammad gestures in front of a projected image of sniper tactics during court proceedings, Oct. 20, 2003.
Sniper suspect Lee Boyd Malvo listens to court proceedings while surrounded by sheriff's officers, Oct. 20, 2003. The 18-year-old shooting suspect was brought into the courtroom for about two minutes so he could be identified by a witness.
Witness Linda Thompson is questioned on the stand, Oct. 20, 2003. Thompson, a 1st Virginia Bank employee, identified Lee Boyd Malvo in court and said she saw the two men outside her bank on Oct. 9, 2002, shortly before a man was gunned down while pumping gasoline nearby.
Muhammad, seated far left, watches as Lee Boyd Malvo, in orange jumpsuit, is identified in court, Oct. 20, 2003. The two are not related, but have referred to each other as father and son. Muhammad refused to cross-examine Thompson in Malvo's presence but later asked the woman: "Was it because we was black that you remember us?" She denied their race was an issue.
Robert Meyers puts his arm around his wife, Lori, during the trial over the death of his brother Dean H. Meyers, Oct. 21, 2003. A 53-year-old Vietnam veteran, Dean Meyers became the seventh victim in the sniper slayings when he was gunned down outside a northern Virginia gas station Oct. 9, 2002.
Muhammad, left, looks over a prosecution drawing of the Dean Meyers murder scene, Oct. 21, 2003. Standby counsel Jonathan Shapiro, right, and Peter Greenspun, center, look on.
Paul Joseph LaRuffa, the owner of Margellina Restaurant in Clinton, Md., wipes his eyes as he describes being shot outside his restaurant on Sept. 5, 2002, during testimony at the Muhammad trial, Oct. 21, 2003.
A police officer holds a shirt that was worn by Paul Joseph LaRuffa, right, when he was shot outside his bar on Sept. 5, 2002, during testimony in the Muhammad murder trial, Oct. 21, 2003.
Muhammad listens to his attorneys Peter Greenspun, left, and Jonathan Shapiro, Oct. 22, 2003. Greenspun and Shapiro represented Muhammad for the remained of the trial, after the suspect changed his mind and stopped acting as his own lawyer after only one day of cross-examining witnesses.
Muhammad looks around the courtroom after being found guilty in the death of Dean Harold Meyers, Nov. 17, 2003, at the Virginia Beach Circuit Court. He was convicted on two counts of capital murder in Meyers' death, using a firearm while committing a felony and conspiracy. Jurors deliberated five hours over two days.