D.C. Sniper Lee Boyd Malvo Apologizes to Victim, Victim Still Waiting for Justice

By: Carlin DeGuerin Miller
Topics: Daily Blotter

(AP)

NEW YORK (CBS) Lee Boyd Malvo may be trying to atone for his sins, committed as the younger half of the so-called D.C. sniper team that terrorized the Southeast and the nation's capital in 2002.

John Gaeta, who was shot in the neck at a shopping mall in Louisiana, recently received a succinct letter of apology from Malvo, confirming what police have suspected since 2006, according to CNN.

Gaeta read the note over the phone to CNN Wednesday, saying that Malvo both printed and signed his name to the letter.

"Mr. Gaeta," it read. "I am truly sorry for the pain I caused you and your loved ones. I was relieved to hear that you suffered no paralyzing injuries and that you are alive. Sincerely, Lee Boyd Malvo."

Hammond Police Sgt. Brian McCormick told CNN that he interviewed Malvo in Jan. at the Virginia Supermax prison the 25-year-old now calls home. Malvo told him that he and John Allen Muhammad, who was executed in November 2009, arrived in Hammond, La., about 50 miles west of Baton Rouge, intent on killing someone.

Gaeta just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Gaeta said Malvo's confession erased any "shadow of a doubt" that his attacker is locked away, never to walk free again, although he would like to see him prosecuted for shooting him.