Atlanta fugitive: Irish citizenship nulls extradition
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Posted 6:56AM on Monday, January 20, 2003
BANGKOK, THAILAND - A fugitive millionaire accused of arranging his wife's slaying is expected to fight extradition to the U-S. <br>
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James Vincent Sullivan is accused of paying someone 25-thousand dollars to kill his wife Lita McClinton Sullivan. Fulton County prosecutors say he wanted to avoid losing property in a costly divorce. <br>
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They're seeking the death penalty for Sullivan. <br>
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Sullivan's lawyers say they'll argue against extradition because the Republic of Ireland opposes capital punishment and the extradition of its citizens to countries with the death penalty. <br>
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Sullivan holds an Irish passport and dual American and Irish citizenship. <br>
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Lita Sullivan was killed by a man posing as a flower deliveryman at her home in 1987. Her mother -- Jo Ann McClinton -- is a Georgia state legislator. <br>
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Sullivan was arrested in Thailand last summer, after weeks of police surveillance at his condominium.