2 Crime Spree Suspects Fight Extradition Bid

Two suspects in a cross-country crime spree that included three murders and a kidnaping contested extradition efforts by three states Friday.

Ohio and Oklahoma are seeking extradition of Lewis Gilbert, 22, and Oklahoma and Missouri are seeking extradition of Eric Elliott, 16, lawyers told a court hearing here. The suspects also pleaded not guilty to New Mexico charges of being fugitives from justice.

The states have 30 days to file warrants seeking the return of the suspects, who are both from Newcomerstown, Ohio. “I hope to reach a consensus among the prosecutors here and in the other states,” said Santa Fe County Dist. Atty. Henry Valdez.

“The reason we’re contesting extradition is (to determine) where is he least likely to receive the death penalty,” said Dan Marlowe, Gilbert’s attorney.

“He’s scared like anybody else would be,” Marlowe added. “He’s afraid of getting fried.”

Glenn Ellington, an attorney for Elliott, told reporters: “He’s confused, he’s a thousand miles from home, he has limited access to phones, he’s let out of his cell two hours a day, he’s been through a great deal in the last week.”

The crime spree apparently began Aug. 29 about 30 miles south of Canton, Ohio, when Ruth Loader, 79, was kidnaped, her farm house robbed and her car stolen. Loader is still missing.

Loader’s car was found in Fulton, Mo., about 650 miles away on Sept. 1.