Oct 12, 2008 2:18 pm US/Eastern
Marine Fighting Extradition From Mexico
JACKSONVILLE, N.C. (CBS News) ―
The attorney for a Marine accused of killing a pregnant colleague says his client is fighting extradition to the United States.
Dick McNeil says 21-year-old Cpl. Cesar Laurean has filed an extradition appeal in a Mexican court.
In September, North Carolina officials said a Mexican court approved returning Laurean to the U.S.
Police arrested Laurean in April in Tacambaro, Mexico, after a three-month manhunt. He is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Marine Lance Cpl. Maria Lauterbach of Vandalia, Ohio, who had accused him of rape.
She was eight months pregnant when she was killed.
Lauterbach's burned remains were found in January in the backyard of Laurean's home near Camp Lejeune. Both were stationed at the coastal North Carolina base where they served as clerks.
Born in Mexico, Laurean is a dual citizen, so an extradition fight could mean it may take up to two years to bring him back to the U.S.
Authorities in Mexico had issued an arrest warrant on the condition that Laurean not face the death penalty if he were tried in the United States, a condition to which the district attorney in charge of the case had to agree because it would otherwise be a treaty violation.
Onslow County D.A. Dewey Hudson told The Early Show in April that the toughest penalty Laurean could face is life in prison without parole.
Hudson said he has seen many cases where fugitives have fled to Mexico in order to avoid the death penalty if they are extradited.
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