President Of Argentina Blocks Court Order To Send Murder Suspect Back To Denver
DENVER (CBS4) - The president of Argentina is blocking a court order to send a Denver murder suspect back to Colorado.
Kurt Sonnenfeld is accused of killing his wife at their Denver home back in 2002. He claims he's being framed because of video he took at Ground Zero after Sept. 11.
Sonnenfeld fled to Argentina. In 2004, prosecutors found new evidence. Then-governor Bill Owens agreed to waive the death penalty if Sonnenfeld returned for trial.
"Kurt Sonnenfeld is definitely gaming the system, though someday, hopefully, that game may run out," Owens said.
The President of Argentina, citing human rights issues, has decided to override that country's supreme court and not extradite the fugitive to the U.S. for trial.
Sonnenfeld claims the government framed him for his wife's murder to keep him from talking, something the victim's family denies.
"He is trying to use that terrible situation to shield himself from murder charges," said Leslie Lindberg.
"I absolutely believe it's political," said Owens, "And I think the politics of Argentina have protected him from... from a murder charge."
CBS's "48 Hours" has been following the case since 2004. They recently flew to Buenos Aires to meet with Sonnenfeld and his new wife. Watch the story Saturday at 9 p.m. on CBS4.
