The murder trial of the 18-year-old sniper suspect linked to 10 killings in the Washington area is to begin today.
Mr Lee Malvo is charged with two counts of murder and a weapons violation in the death of Linda Franklin, an FBI analyst who was shot to death as she loaded purchases into her car at a parking lot in Falls Church, Virginia, on October 14th, 2002.
His trial, like that travelling companion Mr John Muhammad (42), was moved from the US capital's Virginia suburbs some 200 miles southeast, in search of an unbiased jury, something deemed impossible in the region where the 23-day sniper spree took place last year.
Though they are on trial for different murders, both defendants could face execution if convicted. Both are charged with two counts of murder for a single death, and both trials offer a test of Virginia's new anti-terrorism law, enacted after the September 11th, 2001, hijack attacks.
Defence attorneys in Mr Malvo's case plan an insanity defense, arguing that their young client was brainwashed by Mr Muhammad.
Prosecutors in Mr Muhammad's trial in nearby Virginia Beach are reaching the end of their case, which has included recordings of anguished calls for help and emotional testimony from victims who survived the sniper shootings and family members of the dead.
Mr Malvo has appeared before Mr Muhammad's jury several times, so that he could be identified by those who said they recall seeing him near shooting scenes.
Mr Malvo has made it clear he would cite his constitutional right against self-incrimination and refuse to testify against Mr Muhammad.