WASHINGTON (AP) — A white supremacist accused of fatally shooting a security guard at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum is in no condition to appear in court, a federal judge ruled Monday. James von Brunn, 88, was shot in the face by guards who returned his fire last week and is still hospitalized. FBI officials have said he is likely to survive. After a brief private conversation with prosecutors and the defense, U.S. Magistrate Judge John Facciola said at a hearing that he had determined that it would not be possible for von Brunn to have an initial appearance in the next week, either at the courthouse or in his hospital room. Von Brunn has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of 39-year-old Stephen T. Johns, who was black. Authorities say von Brunn shot the guard in the chest with a vintage rifle after Johns opened the door for him.—-
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Judge: Holocaust Museum suspect can’t appear
By The Associated Press
June 15, 2009