Domestic-terrorism suspect John Muhammad and his teenaged accomplice should face federal prosecution under the USA Patriot Act—not under various state laws.
The terrorist acts, in which 10 Americans were killed and three were wounded by snipers, were committed in two states and Washington, D.C.—clearly in the federal domain.
Section 802 of the act covers anyone who engages in activities dangerous to human life in violation of federal or state laws or which are intended to intimate or coerce a civilian population or influence government by intimidation or affect government by assassination.
Muhammad and his accomplice were motivated by political beliefs held by militant adherents to Islam.
Domestic terrorist Tim McVeigh was put to death under federal laws, even before the Patriot Act was signed into law in October 2001.
The Beltway Snipers clearly deserve the same fate. (27 OCTOBER 2002)
