Judge clears way for suspect's extradition
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A Texan linked to a double murder believed to have inspired the film The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, is expected to be sent for trial in America after a British judge authorised his extradition yesterday.
Robert Kleasen, 69, is accused of murdering two Mormon missionaries, Gary Darley and Mark Fischer, after inviting them for dinner at his trailer in Texas in 1974.
District Judge Workman, sitting at Bow Street magistrates' court in London, told Dr Kleasen he was satisfied there was a case to answer.
Dr Kleasen, who appeared in court in a wheelchair, has already been found guilty of murdering Mr Fischer. He spent two and a half years on Death Row in Texas before his conviction was quashed on appeal in 1977 because of an illegal search warrant. He moved to Britain in 1990 and married his pen-friend, Marie Longley, from Barton-upon-Humber, near Scunthorpe. But two years ago, advances in DNA testing revealed new evidence linking him to the scene of the crime and prompted lawyers for the US government to seek his extradition.
Judge Workman ruled that Dr Kleasen would have a fair trial abroad, and said he had accepted assurances from the Travis County authorities in Texas that Dr Kleasen would not be executed for the offences, which are punishable by death.
Judge Workman said there was no question of "double jeopardy" in respect of Dr Kleasen being tried for the murder of either victim. The Home Secretary, David Blunkett, must now approve the extradition.
Peter Cadman, solicitor for Dr Kleasen, said they would appeal to the divisional court.