S.C. Man Waives Extradition in ’57 Slayings of 2 Officers

A Columbia, S.C., man accused of killing two El Segundo police officers 45 years ago waived extradition Wednesday, clearing the way for his return to California for trial.

“We opted not to put the state through the time and expense of a hearing,” said Chris Mills, the attorney representing 69-year-old Gerald Mason.

Mason also gave up his fight to block testing of a DNA sample taken when he was arrested.

In exchange for a speedier trial, Mason will be allowed to remain in custody in Columbia until March 6, when Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies will bring him to California.

Mills had argued earlier that Mason should be released on bail because he is a low flight risk. He has lived on the outskirts of Columbia for at least the last 40 years with his wife, Betty.

The retired gas station owner was charged in the 1957 slayings and arrested in January after police used a 2-year-old national FBI database to match an old fingerprint from the investigation with his. His lawyers had been expected to fight his extradition to Los Angeles.

Now, Mason could make his first Los Angeles court appearance as soon as March 7, according to Sandi Gibbons, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.

The defense deferred a challenge to a DNA sample taken from Mason, who is also charged with rape. Mills said he had concerns about whether the sample had been obtained with his client’s consent.

Earlier this month, Mills won a temporary restraining order to halt testing of the sample until a hearing could be held to determine its legality. That order has since dissolved, leaving California authorities -- already in possession of the sample -- free to conduct tests.