Muhammad’s self-defense

The week's news at a glance.

Virginia Beach

The trial of alleged Washington-area sniper John Allen Muhammad began with a surprise twist this week when the judge ruled that Muhammad could serve as his own lawyer. In a rambling opening statement, Muhammad said the state’s case against him was based on a theory, not facts, and that he “had nothing to do with these crimes.” Muhammad faces the death penalty for the slaying of 53-year-old Dean Harold Meyers, the seventh victim in a three-week shooting spree last year that left 10 people dead and mesmerized the nation. “There’s three truths: The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth,” Muhammad told the jury. “I always thought there was just one truth. Jesus said, ‘Ye shall know the truth.’”

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up