Prosecutor: Laurean May Never Stand Trial

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Posted: 6:23 PM Oct 13, 2008
Last Updated: 9:32 PM Oct 13, 2008

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A prosecutor says a Marine who fled to Mexico before he was charged with killing a pregnant Marine near Camp Lejeune may never have a trial in the U.S.

Onslow County District Attorney Dewey Hudson said Monday that 21-year-old Cpl. Cesar Laurean is appealing his extradition to the Mexican courts, arguing that North Carolina's life without parole sentence for first-degree murder is barred under the countries' extradition treaty.

It's unclear when the Mexican court will rule. Hudson said the argument has been unsuccessfully used in the past, but Laurean could be released from jail in Mexico if the court sides with him.

Laurean is charged in the slaying of 20-year-old Lance Cpl. Maria Lauterbach of Vandalia, Ohio. Her charred remains were found buried in Laurean's backyard in January.

Original Story

The attorney for a Marine accused of killing a pregnant colleague says his client is fighting extradition to the United States.

Dick McNeil says 21-year-old Cpl. Cesar Laurean has filed an extradition appeal in a Mexican court.

In September, North Carolina officials said a Mexican court approved returning Laurean to the U.S.

Laurean is charged with first-degree murder in the slaying of Marine Lance Cpl. Maria Lauterbach. The 20-year-old from Vandalia, Ohio, was eight months pregnant when she was killed late last year.

Her remains were found in Laurean's backyard near North Carolina's Camp Lejeune where both Marines served as clerks.

Laurean was arrested in Mexico in April.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Tim Location: Yucca Valley,Ca. on Oct 14, 2008 at 08:00 PM
What an injustice if this guy doesn't go to court in the U.S. Close the borders so others like him can't come to the U.S. commit horrendous crimes and flee to Mexico and escape justice. If you break the law coming into the U.S. illegaly then you deserve to be deported, no amnesty. And before people start saying i'm racist; my wife is Mexican and here legaly.

Posted by: Brig Guard Location: Camp lejeune on Oct 14, 2008 at 02:55 PM
"Laurean could be released from jail in Mexico if the court sides with him." Did anyone read this part. We need to make sure he gets back here and is prosecuted for what he did. And if you think a mexican prison would be bad, send him to the brig. He would be locked up with other marines who hate him and watched by marines who hate him. Dont think that would be to enjoyable.

Posted by: Dwayne Location: Greenville on Oct 14, 2008 at 02:01 PM
If he returns he'll get taxpayer medical/dental/vision. Without immigration reform it's the same.......right?

Posted by: Bill Location: Greenville on Oct 14, 2008 at 11:26 AM
Ryan, I guess you don't recall the events of 9/11.

Posted by: RYAN Location: GREENVILLE on Oct 14, 2008 at 10:33 AM
I BEG TO DIFFER. WE BULLIED OURSELVES INTO IRAQ FOR NO REASON WHAT SO EVER!!

Posted by: Sarah Location: fayetteville, nc on Oct 14, 2008 at 09:40 AM
I think Mexico will send him back but hey, if he stays there and after a month of runnning to the toilet from eating tacos everyday he will want to come to the us. lol. LMBO>

Posted by: Steve Location: Kinston on Oct 13, 2008 at 11:57 PM
WELL, tina, that is exactly what Mexico may probably do. Can you believe that Mexico does not believe in the death penalty? If he is released from a Mexican prison on the above cited Mexican travesty, the U.S. government should make sure that there is no rest for him anywhere. The Mexican government should be put on notice that their people are persona non gratis here as long as they have such asinine morality. Hey americano, go down south of the border and break a law and see what the "kind" amigos do to your poor butt. Then escape to America and see what our "Moral" legislators will do to you to appease the amigos down south.

Posted by: Tina Location: Gville on Oct 13, 2008 at 09:01 PM
We can't blame our country for what another country will or will no allow. We can't just go bully into another country and do something without their permission just like they shouldn't be allowed to do that to us. However Why would the mexican government want to keep someone who is an obvious murderer that will have to spend the rest of his life in Mexico and could possibly kill another human being there? Why would they want to hinder the prosecution and justice of this heinous crime? That is the question. To me I don't think any country should revoke extradition based on what will happen to him when he gets back.

Posted by: RYAN Location: GREENVILLE on Oct 13, 2008 at 08:33 PM
WHY IS IT THAT WE AS A NATION ALLOW OUR LAWS TO BE SO RIDICULOUS THAT A MURDERER HAS ANY RIGHTS AT ALL. WHY CANT WE JUST GO GET HIM AND BRING HIM TO JUSTICE. THIS COUNTRY IS SO PATHETIC!!

Posted by: VBush Location: MHCY on Oct 12, 2008 at 08:31 PM
Rick, that sounds like an excellent idea. Life in a Mexican prison will make him wish he was dead.

Posted by: Rick Location: Washington on Oct 12, 2008 at 11:53 AM
Try him here in absentia if he so chooses to stay away, and if convicted, sentence him to life, and pay the Mexicans a bit of extra foreign aid to keep him locked up for life. Be cheaper than caging him here. Sounds like a simple cost saving win-win for us and the Mexicans to me.

Posted by: Mike Location: Greenville on Oct 12, 2008 at 11:00 AM
Did I read this right. There's a mexican in Mexico who doesn't want to come into the USA and to top it off-do it legally? He must be insane!

Posted by: Ashley Location: Havelock on Oct 12, 2008 at 08:30 AM
Maybe you shouldn't have killed her. Now it's time to face the consequences and you'd rather stay in Mexico? You disgust me, Laurean

Posted by: Ozone Location: Belhaven on Oct 12, 2008 at 07:53 AM
Would you expect anything less of a coward that kills women? I say we sent dog the bounty hunter over there again and bring him back.

Posted by: Cactus Location: Strabane, NC on Oct 12, 2008 at 07:37 AM
Coward.

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