LUSTER CAPTURE SHEDS LIGHT ON MEXICAN EXTRADITION LAW.Byline: Heather MacDonald Staff Writer SAUGUS - The capture of convicted rapist and cosmetics heir Andrew Luster Andrew Stuart Luster (b. December 15, 1963) is the great-grandson of cosmetics giant Max Factor, Sr. and an heir to the Max Factor cosmetics fortune who was convicted of a series of rapes in 2003. For much of his life, he was supported by a $3. in Mexico has pushed the campaign to extradite ex·tra·dite v. ex·tra·dit·ed, ex·tra·dit·ing, ex·tra·dites v.tr. 1. To give up or deliver (a fugitive, for example) to the legal jurisdiction of another government or authority. 2. the man accused of killing Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. Sheriff's Deputy David March David March (born 25 July 1979) is a professional rugby league player for the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats. He plays at hooker. He has a twin brother called Paul March who also plays for the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats. back into the spotlight. Luster's swift deportation to California on an immigration immigration, entrance of a person (an alien) into a new country for the purpose of establishing permanent residence. Motives for immigration, like those for migration generally, are often economic, although religious or political factors may be very important. violation - he entered the country under a false name - shows how hypocritical the Mexican legal system is, said District Attorney Steve Cooley. ``(The Mexican government) flew him across the border in a heart beat because Luster is an American - but wouldn't have lifted a finger if he (were) Mexican or of Mexican ancestry,'' Cooley said. ``It is the ultimate double standard.'' If Luster had entered Mexico legally, the authorities could have refused to return him to California because the great-grandson of cosmetics giant Max Factor faced life in prison and was convicted in absentia in absentia (in ab-sensh-ee-ah) adj. or adv. phrase. Latin for "in absence," or more fully, in one's absence. Occasionally a criminal trial is conducted without the defendant being present when he/she walks out or escapes after the trial has begun, since the accused , a practice Mexican law prohibits, according to Enrique Zepeda, the western regional legal attache ATTACHE. Connected with, attached to. This word is used to signify those persons who are attached to a foreign legation. An attache is a public minister within the meaning of the Act of April 30, 1790, s. 37, 1 Story's L. U. S. for the Mexican attorney general. Although Luster began serving his 124-year sentence in a California prison last week, Mexico refuses to extradite Armando Garcia, 25, who California law enforcement officials believe shot Deputy March of Saugus, a seven-year veteran of the sheriff's department. He was gunned down in April 2002 during a traffic stop in Irwindale. ``I'm hoping that Luster's capture brings the victims some measure of closure,'' said Teri March, the slain deputy's widow. Mexican authorities have refused to send Garcia back to California to face charges because, if convicted, Garcia could be sentenced to die or to life in prison without the possibility of parole, considered by the Mexican Supreme Court to be cruel and unusual punishment Such punishment as would amount to torture or barbarity, any cruel and degrading punishment not known to the Common Law, or any fine, penalty, confinement, or treatment that is so disproportionate to the offense as to shock the moral sense of the community. . The Luster case has prompted March's widow to renew her demand that the Bush administration and Congress force Mexico to return suspected killers to the United States for trial and punishment. But so far, her calls have fallen on deaf ears, despite the support of Cooley; U.S. Rep. Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon, R-Santa Clarita; Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich Michael Dennis Antonovich (born 1939 in Los Angeles, California) is a member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors representing the Fifth District, which covers northern Los Angeles County, the Antelope, Santa Clarita, Pasadena, and parts of the San Fernando and San ; and the Santa Clarita City Council. ``The way we're doing it, legally, through pleading and writing letters hasn't gotten us anywhere,'' March said. ``That's frustrating.'' So frustrating, in fact, that March considered hiring bounty hunters herself to track down Garcia and deliver him to U.S. border guards. ``But that's illegal and not an option, and I wouldn't want to put someone else in legal jeopardy,'' March said. The bounty hunters who captured Luster were ordered to stand trial this week in Mexico for unlawfully detaining the convicted rapist. They face a maximum four years in jail. ``I truly hope they are not convicted,'' March said. ``They were doing the right thing. They were on the side of the angels.'' Heather MacDonald, (661) 257-5257 heather.macdonald(at)dailynews.com |
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