US judge overturns four life sentences for sniper Lee Boyd Malvo

A United States high court has overturned some of the life sentences of Jamaica-born US sniper Lee Boyd Malvo, who was convicted for his role in a killing spree in Washington almost 15 years ago.

A federal judge explained that the decision is based on the fact that Malvo was a juvenile when the sentences were imposed on him.

Malvo was 17 at the time.

"The Supreme Court ruled in 2012 that mandatory life sentences without the possibility of parole were unconstitutional for juveniles, and in 2016 the court decided that ruling should be applied retroactively," The Washington Post reported.

Malvo pleaded guilty in Spotsylvania County and agreed to serve two life sentences without parole.

He was also convicted by a jury and sentenced to two life sentences in Fairfax County.

US District Judge, Raymond A. Jackson  today overturned those four sentences and ordered the courts that imposed them to consider new sentences.

However, the judge did not disturb the six other life sentences for murders Malvo committed in Maryland.

In all 10 people were killed and three others were shot during a three-week period in October 2002. 

John Allen Muhammad, the alleged mastermind who it's believed influenced Malvo, was also convicted and later executed in 2009 for the killings.

Muhammad and Malvo used a rifle to shoot the 13 people from a modified trunk of a Chevrolet Caprice in random attacks in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia. 

​Malvo, now 32 years old, is currently being held at Red Onion State Prison, a super-maximum security prison in Virginia.