Magistrate puts hold to extradition proceedings for US fugitive until High Court ruling

The Defence moved to the High Court last week and filed an application, asking the Court to declare that the extradition treaty between Guyana and The United States is not enforceable in its present format, particularly in the absence of domestic legislation. 

Magistrate puts hold to extradition proceedings for US fugitive until High Court ruling

Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs today took a decision to put a pause on the ongoing extradition proceedings involving US murder accused Troy Thomas until the High Court makes a declaration on an application to the Court by the man’s attorneys.

The Defence moved to the High Court last week and filed an application, asking the Court to declare that the extradition treaty between Guyana and The United States is not enforceable in its present format, particularly in the absence of domestic legislation.

When the matter was called today before Magistrate Isaacs, she took a decision to stand down from further hearing the matter and to give the High Court an opportunity to make its declaration before she continues.

The matter will come up before Justice Joann Barlow in the High Court on Friday, April 13, but Magistrate Isaacs has asked the Defense and State attorneys to return to the Providence Magistrate Court to continue the matter before her on May 10th.

The Defence is also asking the High Court to declare, among other things, that the amendment to the Fugitive Offenders Act which purports to give a Magistrate power to interpret the extradition treaty as unconstitutional.

Thomas is wanted in New York in connection with the 2011 murder of Keith Frank in the same New York area.

The two reportedly had a confrontation outside a nightclub when Frank was shot multiple times. Thomas was identified as the assailant, but he reportedly moved to Guyana just after the incident and has not traveled back to the United States over the past seven years.

The US issued an arrest warrant for him earlier this year after receiving information that he was hiding out in Guyana.

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