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American Morning

Fugitive Returns: Ball in Ira Einhorn's Court

Aired July 20, 2001 - 11:01   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: We are going to begin this hour with something that was 20 years in the making. Longtime fugitive Ira Einhorn is back in the United States after his extradition from France.

CNN's Brian Palmer joins us now. He is in Philadelphia to talk about this case and what's next for this 60s activist -- Brian.

BRIAN PALMER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, good morning.

Just a few minutes ago, members of the team that brought fugitive killer Ira Einhorn back to justice gave the media a briefing on the case and on Ira Einhorn's trip back to the United States.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LYNNE ABRAHAM, PHILADELPHIA DISTRICT ATTORNEY: When Ira Einhorn stepped onto the tarmac in Philadelphia, as I watched it on television this morning, my thought was: One small step for justice, one giant leap for law enforcement and the rule of law.

This has been a long, difficult, arduous journey, that has taken us from 1977 until this moment to bring Ira Einhorn to Philadelphia to face justice.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PALMER: Now, it's important to note that District Attorney Lynne Abraham was the person who signed the warrant 20 years ago when she was a judge that basically led to the discovery of Holly Maddux's body. Ira Einhorn was charged with killing his then-girlfriend Holly Maddux and putting her body in a trunk. The body was discovered about 18 months later.

Einhorn fled the country. But he was discovered in Europe. After a series of legal battles and negotiation with the French government, his extradition was finalized. And he was sent back last night.

Now, the law enforcement and legal officials here made it clear that the ball is now in Einhorn's court. His legal team has to request a new trial. Otherwise, Einhorn stays in jail as a convicted killer.

HARRIS: All right, thank you very much, Brian Palmer, reporting live for us this morning from Philadelphia.

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