Updated
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
The man charged with the 1985 kidnapping and murder of Edward and Wilhelmina “Minnie” Maurin declined today to waive extradition proceedings that would bring him back to Lewis County from Alaska, according to a news story [1] published in the Anchorage Daily News.
[2]Rick Riffe
Associated Press reporter Rachel D’Oro writes that Rick Riffe appeared before a judge today in Anchorage and said he didn’t need an attorney appointed to him, he planned to hire one.
Riffe, 53, was arrested Sunday at his home near King Salmon, Alaska by two Lewis County Sheriff’s Office detectives with help from Alaska state troopers.
The bodies of the elderly Ethel couple were found on Christmas Eve 1985 off a logging road near Adna. They had gone missing several days earlier.
Prosecutors believe Riffe and his now-deceased brother John Gregory Riffe got into the couple’s home, uncovered bank records and forced the couple to go with them to the bank and withdraw $8,500 before shooting them in the backs with a shotgun inside their car, according to charging documents.
The brothers moved from Lewis County to Alaska where they have lived since 1987, according to the sheriff’s office.
A detective and Deputy Prosecutor Will Halstead stayed in Alaska in hopes of bringing Riffe back right away, the sheriff’s office told county commissioners yesterday.
D’Oro did note note in her news story how long those proceedings could take.
Lewis County Prosecutor Jonathan Meyer planned to seek a governor’s warrant as soon as possible if Riffe chose to go through extradition proceedings, the commissioners were told.
A hearing is scheduled for July 19, according to Meyer.
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For back ground, read:
• “Breaking news: Sheriff: Cold case solved in 1985 shooting death of elderly Ethel couple” from Monday July 9, 2012 at 9:13 a.m., here [3]
• “Sheriff: It’s safe for further witnesses to come forward following arrest in deaths of Ethel couple” from Monday July 9, 2012 at 5:14 p.m., here [4]