Spring Break
NT student's murder suspect still awaiting extradition
Aaron Bracamontes
Issue date: 11/27/07 Section: NEWS
Within the next two weeks, the Dallas County District Attorney's Office should file the paperwork for the extradition of Ernesto Reyes, 20, in connection with the death of NT student, Melanie Goodwin.
Jamille Bradfield, spokeswoman for the district attorney's office, said the 60-day deadline to file the extradition papers is coming up soon, but there is no danger of prosecutors missing the deadline.
"We should be getting close to the end of the time period," Bradfield said.
Prosecutors are working with the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. to prepare the official papers, Bradfield said.
The department is reviewing drafts of documents and translations of documents, she said.
In order to insure that Mexican officials will extradite Reyes to the United States, Bradfield said, the prosecutors had to promise that they would not seek the death penalty for Reyes.
"Under normal circumstances, he would be eligible for the death penalty," she said. "There is no fear of the Mexican government not giving him up."
Mexico does not have the death penalty and does not extradite prisoners who are to be executed.
Matthew Bobo, spokesman for the Goodwin family, said the family is hopeful that he will be extradited in April or May.
"The Mexican government is cooperating and we don't perceive any problems," he said. "Ultimately we can have justice."
The family is very hopeful that they will have their day in court soon, Bobo said.
"The Dallas District Attorney's Office thinks the trial could be nine months to a year," he said.
Reyes, a Denton resident, was arrested on Oct. 9 in Celaya Guanajuato, Mexico at a family member's house.
He was wanted out of Carrollton County for questioning since Sept. 26, in connection with the death of Goodwin.
Goodwin had last been seen leaving a convenience store in Denton with Reyes, before her partially burnt body was found in an empty Carrollton lot, according to a police warrant.
Reyes was seen in a surveillance camera dragging a body, which was identified as Goodwin's, from a car and lighting a fire in the area it was found, the warrant said.
Goodwin was an Arlington sophomore studying radio, television and film.
Jamille Bradfield, spokeswoman for the district attorney's office, said the 60-day deadline to file the extradition papers is coming up soon, but there is no danger of prosecutors missing the deadline.
"We should be getting close to the end of the time period," Bradfield said.
Prosecutors are working with the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. to prepare the official papers, Bradfield said.
The department is reviewing drafts of documents and translations of documents, she said.
In order to insure that Mexican officials will extradite Reyes to the United States, Bradfield said, the prosecutors had to promise that they would not seek the death penalty for Reyes.
"Under normal circumstances, he would be eligible for the death penalty," she said. "There is no fear of the Mexican government not giving him up."
Mexico does not have the death penalty and does not extradite prisoners who are to be executed.
Matthew Bobo, spokesman for the Goodwin family, said the family is hopeful that he will be extradited in April or May.
"The Mexican government is cooperating and we don't perceive any problems," he said. "Ultimately we can have justice."
The family is very hopeful that they will have their day in court soon, Bobo said.
"The Dallas District Attorney's Office thinks the trial could be nine months to a year," he said.
Reyes, a Denton resident, was arrested on Oct. 9 in Celaya Guanajuato, Mexico at a family member's house.
He was wanted out of Carrollton County for questioning since Sept. 26, in connection with the death of Goodwin.
Goodwin had last been seen leaving a convenience store in Denton with Reyes, before her partially burnt body was found in an empty Carrollton lot, according to a police warrant.
Reyes was seen in a surveillance camera dragging a body, which was identified as Goodwin's, from a car and lighting a fire in the area it was found, the warrant said.
Goodwin was an Arlington sophomore studying radio, television and film.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
plc
posted 11/29/07 @ 12:50 AM CST
I'm glad to see an update on this story. It's great that everything appears to be going smoothly. Unfortunately the murderer will not receive what he truly deserves. (Continued…)
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