Local News in Brief : 1946 Escapee Seeks to Block Extradition
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An attorney for Vincent Pelliccia petitioned Gov. George Deukmejian on Wednesday to block extradition of the 62-year-old Newhall man to Virginia for a crime he committed 41 years ago, the lawyer said.
Attorney Mark A. Gottesman said a cover letter accompanying the petition “urgently” requested a hearing for Pelliccia, who has been held in Los Angeles County Jail since his Aug. 4 arrest.
Virginia authorities are preparing formal extradition papers for Pelliccia’s case because he escaped a chain gang in 1946 after serving only four months of his 10-year sentence for burglary. His name surfaced in a police investigation unrelated to him.
In the letter to Deukmejian, Gottesman said Pelliccia’s emotional health continues to deteriorate while he remains in jail. The retired movie studio electrician is shackled by guards whenever he leaves his cell, the attorney said.
Deukmejian has the authority to block an extradition request from Virginia. Pelliccia’s extradition hearing is scheduled Sept. 4.
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