Reiner OKs Extradition of Domino’s Suspects

Asserting that death penalty cases can be tried far more swiftly in South Carolina than in Los Angeles County, Dist. Atty. Ira Reiner announced Wednesday that he will seek the return of the suspected Domino’s Pizza killers to the southern state to face murder charges first.

However, Gov. George Deukmejian’s office responded that it is the governor’s prerogative, not Reiner’s, to act on extradition requests--and that no decision had yet been made. Moreover, a defense attorney indicated that a court battle would be likely, especially since the case of Mitchell Carlton Sims and Ruby Padgett has already begun here.

Sims, 25, and Padgett, 20, are accused in the Dec. 10 murder of a Domino’s Pizza deliveryman in Glendale and in the Dec. 3 slayings of two Domino’s employees in Hanahan, S.C.

Plead Not Guilty

The suspects, who voluntarily returned to California following their arrests in Las Vegas last month, pleaded not guilty in Glendale Municipal Court on Monday to the Glendale murder--for which they could receive the death penalty if convicted--and related charges. A March 12 preliminary hearing has been scheduled.

Sims also faces a possible death sentence in the South Carolina slayings. Padgett, charged as an accessory, does not face the death penalty there, officials said.

In a letter to South Carolina Gov. Richard W. Riley, Reiner stated Wednesday that he would honor that state’s request for extradition, because the entire trial process in South Carolina would take no longer than six months, as opposed to an estimated two to three years here. After the suspects are tried in South Carolina, Reiner added, they would be returned here to face the Glendale charges.

‘Interests of Justice’

“I believe that the interests of justice would best be served if these defendants are held accountable in a manner that is both timely and appropriate,” Reiner wrote. “Therefore, although this action is unprecedented, I am pleased to honor your request. . . .”

While Reiner claimed during a morning press conference that Deukmejian’s office has indicated that it would not object to the extradition, a spokesman for the governor said later that no decision has been made on the issue.

In addition, spokesman Kevin Brett said, “it is crystal clear to us that governors make decisions regarding extraditions, and not district attorneys.”

Reiner expressed surprise at the reaction, saying that the governor generally grants “automatic” approval to prosecutors’ extradition requests.

Meanwhile, Padgett’s attorney, Patricia Nelson, said both suspects are “ . . . interested in proceeding with their California case.” She predicted that a court battle over extradition could take at least three months. “This is a real legal gray area.”

Reiner also asserted Wednesday that justice in South Carolina, where there was an execution last week, would likely be tougher, as well as more swift.

“A death-penalty verdict rendered here in California is not too likely to be carried out,” he said. “We do have a Supreme Court that is not too partial toward carrying out the death-penalty verdicts.”