LIHU‘E — The Governator let one get away. Because of a paperwork delay in letters of extradition necessary to be exchanged between governors of Hawai‘i and California, a convicted felon was let loose on the streets of Kaua‘i Tuesday. Jeremiah
LIHU‘E — The Governator let one get away.
Because of a paperwork delay in letters of extradition necessary to be exchanged between governors of Hawai‘i and California, a convicted felon was let loose on the streets of Kaua‘i Tuesday.
Jeremiah Philip Magruder is wanted in California for violating terms and conditions of his parole on a felony conviction for receiving stolen property, said First Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Lori Wada and Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Tracy Murakami.
In Judge Randal Valenciano’s 5th Circuit courtroom in the state courthouse here Tuesday morning, Wada explained that California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger issued an extradition letter to Hawai‘i Gov. Linda Lingle, but as of Monday that letter had not been received by Lingle.
Deputy Public Defender John Calma asked Valenciano to release Magruder to his own custody, and Wada could not offer up an argument against such release without the extradition paperwork in place.
Valenciano asked if the matter should be dismissed, and Wada said once Magruder is released, the current extradition matter is over. Then if California wants Magruder back, the extradition process would have to begin all over again.
Valenciano ordered Magruder released on his own recognizance on the extradition matter.
Wada said Magruder has two local bench warrants, one for contempt of court and another for failing to complete an ordered drunk-driving and substance-abuse evaluation.
Valenciano said resolution of those cases is up to Magruder.
In other extradition cases, two men wanted in separate Mainland states are leaving paradise to face felony charges.
Phillip Matyas Pohle, picked up by Kaua‘i Police Department officers Sunday night, is en route back to Ohio for a pending trial on two felony charges of not paying child support, Murakami said.
Ohio law-enforcement personnel came to Kaua‘i to pick him up, Wada said.
On his way back to California is Preston Shane McCain, where he has a pending trial for two counts of felony driving under the influence of an intoxicant, said Murakami.
The charges rose to felony levels because of his past history of driving under the influence, Murakami said. California law-enforcement personnel came to Kaua‘i to retrieve McCain, said Wada.
