Sniper Muhammad seeks to halt appeal

McLEAN, Va. (AP) - Convicted sniper John Allen Muhammad has written a letter to prosecutors seeking their assistance in putting an end to his legal appeals from death row.

In a letter made public Tuesday, Muhammad tells the Virginia Attorney General's Office that he is waiving all rights to appeal his 2003 conviction and death sentence for the sniper killings in 2002 that terrorized the Washington, D.C., region.

Muhammad says in the letter that he has tried without success to stop efforts by his defense lawyers, and that he is counting on the attorney general to assist him.

Muhammad's appellate lawyer, Jonathan Sheldon, declined comment. In a recent appeal in federal court, Muhammad's lawyers cited evidence of brain damage that may render Muhammad incompetent to make legal decisions on his own behalf.