An Arizona judge ruled that a man accused of beating a woman to death at a Manhattan hotel won’t be extradited back to New York City in a blow to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.
Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell argued against the extradition of murder suspect Raad Almansoori, 26, arguing that Bragg had a habit of treating violent criminals too well. Court Commissioner Barbara Spencer ruled in favor of Mitchell, issuing a significant blow to Bragg.
“Nothing can happen on the fugitive case other than there could be what’s called a governor’s directive, which is the document that would hold you instead of the governor’s warrant, or you would choose to sign a waiver,” Spencer told Almansoori in court, KSAZ-TV reported.
Bragg was quick to respond, saying the top priority was seeking justice.
“Seeking justice for victims and survivors is our priority at the Manhattan D.A.’s Office,” a Bragg spokesperson said in response to the ruling, the New York Post reported.
“We do not stand on ceremony but prioritize the integrity of the process,” they continued. “We are proceeding as we do in each and every case involving an out-of-state arrest: Following the facts and the law to ensure justice is served.”
Manhattan prosecutors can still petition Gov. Katie Hobbs (D-AZ) to intervene and force the extradition.
Mitchell drew headlines when she subtly reprimanded Bragg for his perceived lenient treatment of violent criminals, using it as the reason not to extradite Almansoori, who reportedly fled to Arizona after the murder of Denisse Oleas-Arancibia, 38.
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“Having observed the treatment of violent criminals in the New York area by the Manhattan D.A. there, Alvin Bragg,” Mitchell told reporters last month. “I think it’s safer to keep him here and keep him in custody so that he cannot be out doing this to individuals either in our state, county, or anywhere in the United States.”
Police say the suspect also confessed to stabbing another woman and sexually assaulting another while in Arizona.
