Extradition paperwork caught in mail system, hearing delayed
John Lee
John Lee, the suspect in a Jan. 10 shooting spree in Moscow, will stay in Washington for the time being as Whitman County officials have yet to receive extradition paperwork from the state.
Denis Tracy, Whitman County prosecutor, said Washington Gov. Jay Inslee signed the extradition paperwork last week that would order Whitman County to turn Lee over to Idaho law enforcement. The document was mailed, but the Whitman County Sheriff’s Office did not receive it by the hearing time Tuesday morning, Tracy said.
“It’s just a process, my guess is that the President’s Day holiday may have slowed the mail a little bit,” Tracy said.
Lee in court. Hearing about to begin. pic.twitter.com/5WSyKI9lIe
— Ryan Tarinelli (@ryantarinelli) February 17, 2015
Lee appeared in court Tuesday morning and is being held in Whitman County on one count of felony eluding. He faces three counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder in Latah County once the extradition process is complete.
Tracy requested delaying the extradition hearing Tuesday to allow time for the paperwork to reach Whitman County. Whitman County Superior Court Judge David Frazier approved the extension and rescheduled the extradition hearing for March 6.
Lee also has a readiness trial March 6 regarding the felony eluding charge in Whitman County.
Steve Martonick, Lee’s court appointed lawyer, did not have any concerns with the extension.
“Apparently the check’s in the mail, I’ve got no objection giving the state a few more days,” he said.
If the extradition is signed March 6, Tracy said he would request Lee receive a ruling on the felony eluding charge and be extradited before serving a sentence in Washington. Tracy said he would drop the eluding charge if Latah County prosecutors want Lee extradited immediately to move forward on his murder charges in Idaho.
“Realistically, he’s not getting out of prison in Idaho,” Tracy said. “So, once he gets over there, we’re not going to want him back.”
Ryan Tarinelli can be reached at [email protected]