Key Takeaways:
– Maricopa County District Attorney Rachel Mitchell refuses to extradite suspected murderer Raad Almansoori to New York.
– Mitchell expresses skepticism about Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s handling of violent criminals.
– Almansoori is accused of murdering Queens mother and sex worker, Denisse Oleas-Arancibia, in a hotel in SoHo, and attacking two women in Arizona.
– Mitchell’s decision has been criticized as a political move, with Manhattan’s D.A. office countering that New York has seen a significant drop in violent crime.
Arizona D.A. Keeps Murder Suspect State Bound
Maricopa County District Attorney Rachel Mitchell has instance a refusal to enact any extradition for murder suspect Raad Almansoori. The decision comes following Almansoori’s arrest in the Arizona region for two individual, non-lethal attacks against women. Almansoori has also reportedly confessed to murdering Queens resident, Denisse Oleas-Arancibia, in a SoHo hotel.
Mitchell, a Republican, has alleged that it is safer for Almansoori to remain within Arizona’s jurisdiction due to what she perceives as Manhattan D.A. Alvin Bragg’s lenient treatment of violent criminals. “We are going to keep him here”, Mitchell stated at an Arizona police press conference.
Reactions from Manhattan’s D.A. Office
In response, Manhattan’s D.A. Office has expressed disappointment at what it refers to as political gamesmanship. Emily Tuttle, a spokeswoman for Bragg, reiterates that a 24% decrease in the murder rate and a 38% reduction in shootings since Bragg took office indicative of their commitment to the safety of New Yorkers.
The Manhattan judgement finds Mitchell’s refusal for Almansoori’s extradition a disservice to the victim and the NYPD’s investigative efforts. If Almansoori were to be extradited to New York, he would face charges of murder and possibly be held without bail.
However, Mitchell asserts that her decision is not an implicit criticism of the NYPD. She acknowledges their work, simply stating, “We just want to keep him [Almansoori] in custody here.”
Almansoori’s Alleged Crimes
According to the account of NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny, Almansoori had left a breadcrumb trail suggesting his involvement in Oleas-Arancibia’s murder. A Burger King receipt found in bloody pants within the hotel room led detectives to suspect Almansoori, but the man had already escaped to Arizona by then.
Post his arrest in Arizona, Almansoori purportedly informed Scottsdale police of his intent to harm more individuals, as shared by Scottsdale Police Chief Jeff Walther. Almansoori’s subsequent criminal activities included attacking an 18-year-old McDonald’s employee in Surprise, AZ and stealing a car to run from the scene.
Following the tracking and apprehension of Almansoori at the Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall, Walther expressed relief: “Without a doubt we stopped someone from being harmed and stopped him from continuing his path of destruction.”
Almansoori is currently facing multiple charges including attempted murder, aggravated assault, and theft. He is being held without bond, claims Mitchell. As she puts it, “There is no amount of money that he can post to get out of custody at this point.”
Bragg’s Prosecutors Under Scrutiny
The Manhattan D.A.’s office under Bragg has previously faced criticism for a supposed laxity in seeking jail time and bail for violent crime suspects. Such criticism is expected to intensify with Mitchell’s refusal for Almansoori’s extradition, even though the NYPD lieutenant and an officer who were beaten by four migrant suspects were later detained after initial leniency.
Although Bragg’s office did not immediately respond to a request from the New York Daily News for comment on the Almansoori case, the growing debate between Arizona’s and Manhattan’s jurisdictions signals an urgent need for a resolution.