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CNN Live Today
Ira Einhorn Trial
Aired September 30, 2002 - 10:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: In Philadelphia, opening statements are under way this hour in the murder trial of former hippie guru Ira Einhorn. The longtime fugitive is accused of murdering his girlfriend a quarter century ago, and then jumping bail to begin a new life on the run.
Here's CNN's Jason Carroll with more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In one of the most unusual murder cases Philadelphia has ever seen, Ira Einhorn, former '70s hippie guru, and former fugitive, will finally stand trial for the murder of Holly Maddux.
JOEL ROSEN, ASST. D.A.: The case is in good shape, and we still have a lot of witnesses, and we're pretty confident about our case.
CARROLL: The case began in 1977, when Maddux disappeared. She was an attractive blond, a lover of art, and the girlfriend of Einhorn, who, at the time, was a charismatic leader in the city's counterculture movement. The couple had a tempestuous relationship. Friends said Einhorn was abusive, but Einhorn insisted he had nothing to do with Maddux's disappearance.
Police arrested him in 1979 after finding Maddux's mummified remains in a trunk in the apartment they shared. Right before his trial, Einhorn skipped the country, saying the CIA was framing him for the murder, because he had said the government had a mind-control weapon.
For years, he lived under various names, moving around Europe, while Maddux's family sought his extradition. In 1993, he was tried and convicted in absentia. Now married, he was found living in the south of France.
Einhorn was extradited to the U.S. last year. The French government clearing the way after U.S. assurances he would receive a new trial, Maddux's family thrilled about his extradition.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I am going to have a party, and I'm not sorry.
CARROLL: Einhorn's attorney says the trial won't be easy.
WILLIAM CANNON, DEFENSE ATTY.: I'm concerned about convincing people that a person can be a fugitive for 20 years, and yet not be guilty of the crime.
CARROLL: The defense will argue Einhorn fled out of fear of being framed. The prosecution confident the evidence will speak for itself:
ROSEN: We have the victim's body found in a chest in his closet, so, yes, we have a smoking gun. We've had a smoking gun for 20 years.
CARROLL: The former local celebrity has asked old acquaintances, singer Peter Gabriel and actress Ellyn Bursten, to speak as character witnesses. It's not clear whether they'll testify, nor whether Einhorn himself will take the stand.
Jason Carroll, CNN, Philadelphia.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired September 30, 2002 - 10:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: In Philadelphia, opening statements are under way this hour in the murder trial of former hippie guru Ira Einhorn. The longtime fugitive is accused of murdering his girlfriend a quarter century ago, and then jumping bail to begin a new life on the run.
Here's CNN's Jason Carroll with more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In one of the most unusual murder cases Philadelphia has ever seen, Ira Einhorn, former '70s hippie guru, and former fugitive, will finally stand trial for the murder of Holly Maddux.
JOEL ROSEN, ASST. D.A.: The case is in good shape, and we still have a lot of witnesses, and we're pretty confident about our case.
CARROLL: The case began in 1977, when Maddux disappeared. She was an attractive blond, a lover of art, and the girlfriend of Einhorn, who, at the time, was a charismatic leader in the city's counterculture movement. The couple had a tempestuous relationship. Friends said Einhorn was abusive, but Einhorn insisted he had nothing to do with Maddux's disappearance.
Police arrested him in 1979 after finding Maddux's mummified remains in a trunk in the apartment they shared. Right before his trial, Einhorn skipped the country, saying the CIA was framing him for the murder, because he had said the government had a mind-control weapon.
For years, he lived under various names, moving around Europe, while Maddux's family sought his extradition. In 1993, he was tried and convicted in absentia. Now married, he was found living in the south of France.
Einhorn was extradited to the U.S. last year. The French government clearing the way after U.S. assurances he would receive a new trial, Maddux's family thrilled about his extradition.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I am going to have a party, and I'm not sorry.
CARROLL: Einhorn's attorney says the trial won't be easy.
WILLIAM CANNON, DEFENSE ATTY.: I'm concerned about convincing people that a person can be a fugitive for 20 years, and yet not be guilty of the crime.
CARROLL: The defense will argue Einhorn fled out of fear of being framed. The prosecution confident the evidence will speak for itself:
ROSEN: We have the victim's body found in a chest in his closet, so, yes, we have a smoking gun. We've had a smoking gun for 20 years.
CARROLL: The former local celebrity has asked old acquaintances, singer Peter Gabriel and actress Ellyn Bursten, to speak as character witnesses. It's not clear whether they'll testify, nor whether Einhorn himself will take the stand.
Jason Carroll, CNN, Philadelphia.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
