Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Ecuadorian faces death penalty in Florida

Nelson Ivan Serrano (image)- a former businessman from Ecuador- was sentenced to death earlier today in the murders of four people. “We feel that was an appropriate sentence,” said one of the prosecutors in the case against Serrano despite complaints from the Ecuadorian government over Serrano’s arrest:

“In February, Ecuador's Foreign Ministry requested Serrano be returned to that country because he was ``illegally'' taken to the United States to face charges.

Ecuador will not extradite fugitives who are facing the death penalty in other countries, but U.S. authorities were able to use Serrano's status as a U.S. citizen to get him deported in 2002. Serrano had U.S. and Ecuadorian passports when he was arrested. “

Only a simple majority was required to sentence Serrano and the 9-3 vote by the jury sealed his fate.

Sources (English)- Monsters& Critics, Guardian UK

Source (Spanish)- El Universo

Image- Prada

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