A double-murder suspect accused of bludgeoning to death his two teenage nephews in their Arcadia home last week agreed in a Hong Kong courtroom Monday to return to the United States for prosecution, a Hong Kong newspaper reported.
But there was no immediate indication how rapidly the extradition of Deyun Shi would take place, though it was clear it would not happen before next month at the earliest.
The two brothers, 15 and 16, were found by their parents about 12:40 p.m. Friday at their home in the 400 block of Fairview Avenue. They appeared to have suffered blunt force trauma and were pronounced dead at he scene, said Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Lt. Eddie Hernandez.
A candlelight vigil for Arcadia High School students William and Anthony Lin, sponsored by the Arcadia High School Parent Teacher Student Association, was held at the campus at 6 tonight.
Arcadia High School Principal Brent Forsee told ABC7 the brothers were “very happy, bright, engaged kids. Lots of friends.”
Students also noted the enthusiasm the boys had brought to them.
The boys’ 44-year-old uncle is suspected of killing them after becoming enraged that his wife had obtained a restraining order against him and begun divorce proceedings.
Shi, a Chinese national who lives in La Canada Flintridge, is also wanted for a spousal assault that took place 24 hours before the killings.
Shi fled on a plane to China, but was taken into custody by Hong Kong authorities Saturday after landing at Hong Kong International Airport, officials said.
Appearing today in Hong Kong’s Eastern Court, Shi represented himself, having fired an attorney assigned to him and rejected the offer of legal advice from a free service, the South China Morning Post reported.
Dressed in a gray suit, Shi was given a copy of a brief on the case before he considered whether to surrender to U.S authorities, according to the newspaper.
Shi asked at one point if he would have to serve a life prison term if he turned himself surrendered to U.S authorities. Chief Magistrate Clement Lee Hing-nin replied that he should consult a lawyer.
“So do you consent to surrender or not?” the magistrate asked.
Shi replied: “I consent, as soon as possible.”
He added: “I want to go back to the United States as soon as possible, but I want to be bailed out at the same time. But if my bail application affects my date of return to the U.S. to assist (in the) investigation, I may give up my right to make a bail application.”
The case has been adjourned to Feb. 11 to give U.S. authorities time to prepare a full request for his surrender while Shi remains in custody in Hong Kong, the Morning Post reported.
Shi has indicated that he may apply for bail again at the High Court or review his application at the Eastern Court next Monday.
China has no extradition treaty with the United States, but since 1998, Hong Kong has allowed the return of fugitives through a mutual legal assistance arrangement with the U.S.
—City News Service