Marine Cesar Laurean Caught Attempting to Flee Murder Charges in Mexico

U.S. Marine Cpl. Cesar Laurean was in Mexico, attempting to flee from charges of murder. He was caught in a basic road block, set up to help Mexican authorities crack down on kidnapping. Laurean has been accused of the murder of fellow Marine Maria Lauterbach. US authorities had suspected the Laurean had fled to Mexico, which is not only his native land, but also offers safety from the death penalty if caught and extradited back to the United States. Now, even if extradited and found guilty of the murder, the worst punishment Laurean can receive is prison time.

This case brings the current state of extradition for the crime of murder into light. Many times, when criminals have been captured outside of the United States, extradition has been fought, on the behalf of the criminal, unless the United States agrees to not pursue the death penalty. Politics come into play, and victims can be used as pawns.

In July, 1994, a family of three was murdered in their home. It was a shocking crime, very brutal in nature, and it stunned the nation. Even more stunning were the suspects, Atif Rafay and Sebastian Burns. The two young men were in college, well spoken and from good families. Also, the victims had been Rafay's parents and sister. The sister suffered from a mental disability, which rendered her close to helpless.

The two boys were known to be incredibly bright. Still, authorities were able to build a quick case against them, as they did not do a good job of covering their tracks. Their own behaviors and words gave them away. While making an attempt to commit the "perfect crime," they were so bursting with pride at what they had done; they had a difficult time keeping their mouths closed.

Burns and Rafay fled to Canada, another country that opposes the death penalty. For six years, they fought extradition back to the United States. Finally, the United States gave in. If Burns and Rafay were convicted of the murders, they would not be put to death.

Nine years passed from the murder to the trial. Nine years, and the promise of life, no matter what the verdict ended up being. In the end, the boys were both found to be guilty of murder. Due to their Canadian safe haven, they were not put to death.

Israel Mireles fled to Mexico when accused of murdering Emily Sander. A capital murder charge was issued due to the brutality of the crime. Mireles was not only accused of murder, but of sodomy and rape as well. Authorities were ready to put Mireles to death for his crimes if found guilty.

However, US officials knew that a compromise must be reached since Mireles was found in Mexico. In order to have Mireles extradited back to the United States, Mexican officials were promised that the death penalty would not be used against Mireles if convicted. Mireles' flight to Mexico proved to work in his favor, even though he was caught and extradited.

Italy can also be a safe haven for American murderers. Benedetto Cipriani was in the United States when he faced the charges of hiring three men to kill three people. Cipriani was suspected of orchestrating this murder because he was having an affair with the wife of the main target in the shooting. Cipriani allegedly paid the three men a total of $5000 to kill the husband of the woman Cipriani was having an affair with, his business partner, and mechanic while they were at an auto body shop. Cipriani did not wait around to see how it all played out. He fled to Italy, another country that opposes the death penalty.

Eventually, Cipriani was extradited, but only after the United States assured the Italian government that he would not be executed. No matter neither the nature of his crimes nor the outcome of his trial, he will die a natural death.

Victims suffer when criminals are able to flee to other countries and use those countries as a safe haven. It can be detrimental to a family when their loved one cannot be represented in court because another country is refusing extradition.

The issue of the death penalty has long been debated in this country. Some feel that it is the only just thing to do when someone has committed a heinous murder. There are many that believe in the biblical justice of an eye for an eye. Others, though, believe that all life is sacred, even the lives of the people who have committed murder.

The question is should other countries be allowed to use the death penalty as leverage in the extradition process? One would assume that would cause more criminals to flee to foreign lands, creating a more dangerous environment for those countries. Do they have a viable reason to fight the extradition of these criminals? Even if you oppose the death penalty, are you bothered that certain criminals have a delay of justice because of this, or do you side with the foreign governments? It is indeed a difficult question, and one that goes deeper than what one feels about the death penalty and criminal rights.

Susan Candiotti, Joe Duran, Harris Whitbeck, "Murder Charges Await Marine Captured in Mexico," cnn.com

Sara Jean Green, "Rafay and Burns Trial Begins 9 Years After Slayings," seattletimes.com

Julie Anderson, "Mireles Not Facing Death Penalty," El Dorado Times

"Extradited Italian Faces Triple-Murder Charges," wfsb.com