Juan Miguel Medina, the man arrested in Puerto Rico on charges of murder, could be extradited to the Virgin Islands as early as Friday.
Attorney General Iver Stridiron said Wednesday he expects that once testimony is completed at an extradition hearing, there will be no objection to Medina being returned to the Virgin Islands.
Medina is facing charges that he beat 31-year-old Juan Pierre Batista to death last May 29 near Muhsens Supermarket in Market Square.
Stridiron said that the V.I. Police Major Crime supervisor, Sgt. Reynold Fraser,
may travel to Puerto Rico on Friday to testify at the hearing which will determine whether the suspect will be returned to the Virgin Islands.
"We may send an attorney from our office to accompany Sgt. Fraser at the hearing," Stridiron said, adding that he has "no doubts" that the extradition will be granted.
"We have a strong case against Mr. Medina and there is no doubt that after the hearing is held, immediate extradition will be granted," Stridiron said. "The case is clear-cut. We have iron-clad evidence against this man, who we believe is the prime suspect in this case."
Medina was picked up at his home in Santurce by Justice Department agents and Puerto Rico police officers over the weekend. He is being held in a Puerto Rico jail in lieu of $1 million bail until Friday's extradition hearing.
"If the go-ahead is given for Mr. Medina's extradition, we'll have a Justice Department aircraft awaiting him at the Marin International Airport," Stridiron said.
