Arizona prosecutors won’t agree to extradite SoHo hotel murder suspect to New York, suggest lack of trust in Manhattan DA

NEW YORK – Prosecutors in Arizona say they won’t agree presently to extradite the person accused of murdering a lady in SoHo as a result of they do not trust Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. 

Raad Almansoori is locked up in Arizona, the place police say he stabbed two girls. The Manhattan DA needs to carry him to New York to face fees for that SoHo murder, however Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell needs him to keep in Arizona, for now. 

“I just want to say that I know there’s been discussion about New York wanting to extradite this individual. And I’m sure that this is not aimed at the New York Police Department at all, I know they did a hard job, and they did a good job. But we will not be agreeing to extradition. I’ve instructed my extradition attorneys not to agree to that. We’re going to keep him here. These are mandatory prison sentences. And having observed the treatment of violent criminals in the New York area by the Manhattan DA there, Alvin Bragg, I think it’s safer to keep him here and keep him in custody so that he can not be out doing this to individuals either in our state, county or anywhere in the United States,” Mitchell mentioned. 

A spokesperson from the Manhattan District Attorney, Emily Tuttle, referred to as Mitchell’s feedback “deeply disturbing” and accused her of “playing political games in a murder investigation.”

“In Manhattan, we are serious about New Yorkers’ safety, which is why murders are down 24% and shootings are down 38% since D.A. Bragg took office. New York’s murder rate is less than half that of Phoenix, Arizona, because of the hard work of the NYPD and all of our law enforcement partners,” Tuttle mentioned. “It is a slap in the face to them and to the victim in our case to refuse to allow us to seek justice and full accountability for a New Yorker’s death.”

“I have never heard of a state not granting the extradition from another state,” legal protection lawyer and previous prosecutor David Schwartz instructed CBS New York.

He referred to as Mitchell’s commentary unconstitutional and politically motivated.

“To hold someone because you think that the laws in the other state are not going to protect the people based on bail, it is such a ridiculous argument,” he mentioned.

He added, “They are more than qualified to try this case of a criminal defendant that is undoubtedly going to be held without bail on remand status.”

Watch Tim McNicholas’ file  

Mitchell made the feedback at a news convention the place police mentioned Almansoori sought after to harm extra other folks. 

“This arrest, without a doubt, as heinous as everything he’s done so far, stopped someone from continuing that path of destruction,” Surprise, Ariz. Police Chief Benny Piña mentioned. 

Police in Arizona mentioned Almansoori admitted he killed any person in New York previous this month. The NYPD believes Almansoori attacked Denisse Oleas-Arancibia, 38, with an iron, killing her at a SoHo hotel.

Investigators additionally mentioned he sexually assaulted a lady in Florida in April. Leah Palian mentioned that girl used to be along with her, and he or she instructed the terrifying tale all through a decision with a CBS associate station. 

“This man had the tightest grip on my neck, right under my chin, cut off the airway immediately. Knew was he was doing,” Palian mentioned. 

Palian, who mentioned she labored with Almansoori at an Orlando eating place, mentioned he took off in her automobile after she referred to as 911. He used to be later arrested and charged. 

“I literally, verbatim told them, if you let him walk with a slap on the wrist, he’s going to turn into a serial killer,” Palian mentioned. 

Records display Almansoori used to be charged in Florida with Grand Theft Auto, however fees of sexual battery and irritated attack have been dropped. 

“The state of Florida has failed me so badly,” Palian mentioned. 

Prosecutors in Orange County, Flotifs, inform CBS New York there wasn’t sufficient proof to turn out the sexual battery and irritated attack fees. He posted bail there in September. A commentary from Orange County prosecutors reads, in phase: 

“Our office found sufficient evidence to file a Grand Theft of a Motor Vehicle charge. Almansoori was arrested and granted a bond of $2,500 for that third-degree felony, which is customary for the type of charge and consistent with Florida law which mandates a bond be set in most cases. Almansoori was released from jail after posting bail in September 2023. His next scheduled court appearance is a pre-trial conference on March 13. Our office has filed a motion to revoke Almansoori’s bond based on new information we have received.

“We are disheartened to pay attention in regards to the tragic occasions in New York and Arizona and our ideas and prayers are with the sufferers, their family members and the entire communities impacted. We additionally care deeply in regards to the sufferers in our communities and do the whole thing imaginable to strengthen them and construct sturdy circumstances to protected convictions. We recognize the harm and ache this is felt after we are legally not able to transfer ahead with prosecuting a case.”

Mitchell mentioned later Wednesday New York can record for extradition, however she needs to continue first. 

In an e mail, Oleas-Aranciba’s sister instructed CBS New York’s Timothy McNicholas she used to be a hardworking, sensible, brilliant girl, and the circle of relatives is heartbroken. 

The NYPD is operating with the FBI to see if Almansoori’s attached to different crimes.