Louisiana Slaying Suspect Waives Extradition

Wednesday, May 28, 2003
(2:04 PM)
By Kristen Wyatt
Associated Press Writer

The link came when the attorney general's investigator, Danny Mixon, heard Lee was talking about Mebruer's disappearance, Zachary Police Chief Joey Watson said. Mixon looked at Lee's criminal history, including arrests for stalking, peeping into homes, burglary and attempted murder, and got a court to order a DNA sample from Lee.

Derrick Todd Lee, 34 stands before Fulton County (Ga.) Superior Court Judge Richard Hicks in Atlanta, Wednesday, May 28, 2003 as he waived extradition to Louisiana during a court appearance. Lee is suspected in the serial killings of five women. He could return to Louisiana immediately.
Image Credit: Ric Feld -- AP

Atlanta, Ga. -- AP
A man suspected in the killings of five women was arrested peacefully outside a tire store and agreed Wednesday to be returned to Louisiana, ending a months-long manhunt in a case that terrified women across that state.

Derrick Todd Lee was taken into custody by three police officers Tuesday evening, Atlanta Police Chief Richard Pennington said. Authorities had just missed apprehending Lee at a homeless shelter and then at a motel.

``We have taken a very dangerous person that is a serial murder suspect off the streets,'' Pennington said.

Lee, 34, appeared in court Wednesday and waived extradition, which means he could be returned to Louisiana immediately.

Handcuffed and with his head down, Lee told Fulton County Superior Court Judge Richard Hicks in a quiet voice that he understood the charges and would not fight the transfer to Louisiana. Louisiana officers were in the courtroom during the brief hearing.

``I understand they are here and ready to take you back, so have a good trip,'' Hicks said.
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2003 © The Associated Press.

Dan