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CNN Live At Daybreak

Ira Einhorn Returned to United States, Will Face Retrial for 20-Year-Old Murder

Aired July 20, 2001 - 07:05   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.
COLLEEN MCEDWARDS, CNN ANCHOR: A fugitive who has been on the run for two decades is in police custody this morning. Ira Einhorn now faces a new trial in the death of his girlfriend. Einhorn was extradited from France after losing his final appeal.

He arrived in Philadelphia three hours ago. That is where we find CNN's Jason Carroll this morning -- Jason.

JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Colleen, this is a story that has captured the attention of the city of Philadelphia for nearly 20 years, and it continues to do so. At about 4:00 a.m. Eastern Time, a charter plane carrying Ira Einhorn landed at Philadelphia International Airport.

Right now, we want to take a look at some of the video that we shot shortly after that plane landed. As you can see there, Einhorn emerged wearing a bulletproof vest. You can also see that he was wearing a white bandage. Before he was put into U.S. custody, he tried to cut his throat after he realized his appeals against extradition were unsuccessful.

U.S. Marshals tell us that the 8 1/2 hour trip from Paris was uneventful. Einhorn is now on his way to state prison. That is where he will stay during the duration of his retrial.

The former hippie guru was tried in absentia in 1993 and convicted of murdering his girlfriend, Holly Maddux. That was back in 1977, according to Philadelphia police. Maddux's body was found in a trunk in Einhorn's home. He has always claimed that he was framed by the CIA. He's been on the run for years, but now the Philadelphia Police Department says he is finally back where he belongs -- Colleen.

MCEDWARDS: So Jason, he was tried in absentia and found guilty. You mention there will be a new trial. So what is the next step legally at this point? How does this play out?

CARROLL: Legally, the ball is really in Einhorn's court. What he has to do through his attorney is file a petition for a retrial. The law allows it. The Philadelphia District Attorney, Lynne Abraham, has agreed to it. But right now, the ball is really in his court. We're waiting to see what will happen there -- Colleen.

MCEDWARDS: And the victim's family -- what have they had to say? CARROLL: As you can imagine, Colleen, they're very happy about this day. They have been pushing for Einhorn's extradition for years. They've really stayed on top of this. They've put pressure on political figures to make sure that this day would happen. One of them said that they could not wait to see Einhorn in handcuffs in court, and it looks like they're finally about to get their wish -- Colleen.

MCEDWARDS: CNN's Jason Carroll, thanks very much.

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