By Alicia Cruz
Senior writer
theblackurbantimes.com
Camp LeJeune Marine, Cesar Armando Laurean, arrived back in the United States from Mexico shortly after 7 p.m. at the Wilmington, North Carolina International Airport on Friday.
Laurean fled the United States back in January 2008 after police found the body of pregnant Marine Maria Laterbach buried in Laurean's backyard. Details emerged accusing Laurean of raping Lauterbach and that the child she was carrying was possibly Laurean's child.
Laurean was later captured in central Mexico in April 2008 and held. His return to the United States began to take shape after Laurean lost his fight against extradition earlier this year.
Upon his arrival back to Jacksonville, Laurean was booked into the Onslow County Detention Center around 9 p.m. and was held without bond pending his first court appearance today. Though bond is a possibility, it is unlikely, considering the serious charges he is facing, that Laurean will be offered a bond.
According to WCTI-TV 12 reporter, Mike Luquia, Laurean has made his first court appearance, but there is no word whether he received a bond. A defendant charged with a felony must be brought to a district court judge within 96 hours after the defendant is taken into custody.
According to the N.C. Court System web site, during a defendants first appearance the District Court Judge warns the defendant of the right against self incrimination; ensures the defendant’s right to counsel, reviews the charging documents to determine the sufficiency of the charge, informs the defendant of the charges against him, ensures that the defendant or his counsel has been furnished a copy of the charging documents, and determines or reviews the defendant's eligibility for pre-trial release."
Cpl. Laurean has been charged with first degree murder, robbery with a dangerous weapon, obtaining property by false pretenses, financial transaction card theft and financial transaction card fraud.
UPDATE 12:30 p.m.
At a 12:20 p.m. press conference held at the Onslow County Courthouse in Jacksonville, NC, Onlsow County Sheriff, Ed Brown, District Attorney Dewey Hudson spoke about everything from a change of venue,to jury selection, to when the trial of Cesar Laurean might occur.
Sheriff Brown stated that Laurean is one of 13 inmates being held at the Onslow County jail who have been charged with First Degree Murder and that Laurean will be treated with respect "just as any other inmate would be." Sheriff Brown added that upon speaking with Laurean's attorney, Dick McNeil, he would like to meet Cpl Laurean so that "he can see my face and know who the Sheriff is."
McNeil stated that while he "disagreed with most of what Sherriff Brown said" during the press conference, he was "comfortable" Laurean would, indeed, "be safe at the Onslow County jail." He added that he did not foresee a trial happening "anytime soon" as he has several other murder trails to prepare for in addition to Laurean's trail. McNeil said he expects to get 6,000 pages of case documents this week. He said he doesn't expect a trial until next year.
McNeil also said that he has spoken with military officials concerning Laurean's status with the Marines. and that they have informed him that Cpl. Laurean will be administratively separated from the Marine Corp and receive an other than honorable discharge. At today's hearing, Laurean appeared before the honorable Judge Paul Hardison. Laurean was not given a bond and his next court date has been set for May 18, 2009.
Senior writer
theblackurbantimes.com
Camp LeJeune Marine, Cesar Armando Laurean, arrived back in the United States from Mexico shortly after 7 p.m. at the Wilmington, North Carolina International Airport on Friday.
Laurean fled the United States back in January 2008 after police found the body of pregnant Marine Maria Laterbach buried in Laurean's backyard. Details emerged accusing Laurean of raping Lauterbach and that the child she was carrying was possibly Laurean's child.
Laurean was later captured in central Mexico in April 2008 and held. His return to the United States began to take shape after Laurean lost his fight against extradition earlier this year.
Upon his arrival back to Jacksonville, Laurean was booked into the Onslow County Detention Center around 9 p.m. and was held without bond pending his first court appearance today. Though bond is a possibility, it is unlikely, considering the serious charges he is facing, that Laurean will be offered a bond.
According to WCTI-TV 12 reporter, Mike Luquia, Laurean has made his first court appearance, but there is no word whether he received a bond. A defendant charged with a felony must be brought to a district court judge within 96 hours after the defendant is taken into custody.
According to the N.C. Court System web site, during a defendants first appearance the District Court Judge warns the defendant of the right against self incrimination; ensures the defendant’s right to counsel, reviews the charging documents to determine the sufficiency of the charge, informs the defendant of the charges against him, ensures that the defendant or his counsel has been furnished a copy of the charging documents, and determines or reviews the defendant's eligibility for pre-trial release."
Cpl. Laurean has been charged with first degree murder, robbery with a dangerous weapon, obtaining property by false pretenses, financial transaction card theft and financial transaction card fraud.
UPDATE 12:30 p.m.
At a 12:20 p.m. press conference held at the Onslow County Courthouse in Jacksonville, NC, Onlsow County Sheriff, Ed Brown, District Attorney Dewey Hudson spoke about everything from a change of venue,to jury selection, to when the trial of Cesar Laurean might occur.
Sheriff Brown stated that Laurean is one of 13 inmates being held at the Onslow County jail who have been charged with First Degree Murder and that Laurean will be treated with respect "just as any other inmate would be." Sheriff Brown added that upon speaking with Laurean's attorney, Dick McNeil, he would like to meet Cpl Laurean so that "he can see my face and know who the Sheriff is."
McNeil stated that while he "disagreed with most of what Sherriff Brown said" during the press conference, he was "comfortable" Laurean would, indeed, "be safe at the Onslow County jail." He added that he did not foresee a trial happening "anytime soon" as he has several other murder trails to prepare for in addition to Laurean's trail. McNeil said he expects to get 6,000 pages of case documents this week. He said he doesn't expect a trial until next year.
McNeil also said that he has spoken with military officials concerning Laurean's status with the Marines. and that they have informed him that Cpl. Laurean will be administratively separated from the Marine Corp and receive an other than honorable discharge. At today's hearing, Laurean appeared before the honorable Judge Paul Hardison. Laurean was not given a bond and his next court date has been set for May 18, 2009.
