Cousin Spots Wanted Marine in Mexico

DA seeks extradition, must forgo death penalty to gain cooperation
By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 22, 2008 4:53 PM CST
Cousin Spots Wanted Marine in Mexico
This undated photo provided Monday, Jan. 21, 2008 by the Onslow County, N.C., Sheriff's Office shows an area of scorched earth and some concrete blocks in the backyard of the home of Cpl. Cesar Laurean in Jacksonville, N.C. The burned remains of Lance Cpl. Maria Lauterbach, 20, and her fetus were found...   (Associated Press)

A Marine wanted for murder was spotted by his cousin near Guadalajara, Mexico, a week ago, CNN reports. Cpl. Cesar Laurean visited his cousin's liquor store and said he was "just passing by." The cousin says he didn't know about Laurean's legal troubles. Meanwhile, a North Carolina district attorney pressing for extradition had to agree to forgo the death penalty in accordance with Mexican law.

"My hands were tied,” said DA Dewey Hudson. ". It was very frustrating and disappointing." Mexico refuses to extradite suspects to the US who face capital punishment. In North Carolina, investigators are analyzing a possible murder weapon and DNA from the unborn fetus of Laurean's alleged victim, Maria Lauterbach, but lab tests are expected to take weeks. (More Maria Lauterbach stories.)

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