thedrifter
11-06-08, 10:32 AM
Jail visit for Laurean concerns DA <br />
The Associated Press <br />
Posted : Thursday Nov 6, 2008 11:05:45 EST <br />
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JACKSONVILLE, N.C. — A North Carolina prosecutor said he’s concerned that the wife of a Marine...
thedrifter
11-06-08, 03:28 PM
Christina Laurean in Mexico visiting her jailed husband
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November 6, 2008 - 2:45PM
LINDELL KAY
A potential witness in the 2007 bludgeoning death of a pregnant Marine has flown to Mexico for what could be a conjugal visit with the main suspect in the case, prosecutors said.
Christina Laurean, wife of Camp Lejeune Marine Cpl. Cesar Laurean who is accused of killing a pregnant colleague, is in Mexico visiting with him now, said Dewey Hudson, the district attorney for the 4th Prosecutorial District, which includes Onslow County.
"It is my understanding that Mexico allows prisoners a conjugal visit on their birthday," Hudson said during a press conference on the Onslow County Courthouse steps Thursday.
Cesar Laurean's birthday is Nov. 13, according to his marriage certificate. His wife, Christina Laurean took leave from Camp Lejeune on Monday and is not expected to return until Nov. 17.
An Onslow County Grand Jury indicted Laurean in January with first-degree murder in the December death of Lance Cpl. Maria Lauterbach, who had accused him of rape. Laurean fled the area the day before Lauterbach's body and that of her unborn child were found buried in the Laureans' Half Moon community backyard. Cesar Laurean was arrested in Mexico in April and has filed an extradition appeal.
Hudson said the Marines Corps has assured him they have taken extra steps to stay in contact with her during the visit, and they are confident she will return to the U.S.
Authorities have called Christina Laurean a "cooperating witness" throughout the investigation, but Hudson said he is concerned how the visit will impact her willingness to testify against her husband. He stressed prosecutors cannot compel Christina Laurean to testify due to North Carolina law.
"This throws us for a loop," Hudson said.
Laurean's Jacksonville attorney Dick McNeil said he was concerned about any possible recordings that might be made during the visit.
McNeil - who said he was at a disadvantage in the case because he has not seen all of the evidence the prosecution has - said the extradition process was daunting.
"I have read some of the extradition packet and it is way over our pay grade," he said, referring to himself and Hudson. "There is a letter in it from (Secretary of State) Condoleezza Rice to the Mexican government. That's how serious this is."
Christina Laurean's Jacksonville attorney Chris Welch attended the downtown press conference Thursday but would not comment about his client's trip.
Christina Laurean has been speaking with her husband over the phone, and his parents and sister have been to visit him in Mexico since his confinement, McNeil said.
Contact crime reporter Lindell Kay at 910-219-8456. Read Lindell's blog at http://onslowcrime.encblogs.com.
Ellie