American wanted for murder of socialite wife extradited for trial

<p>One of America's most wanted fugitives, wanted for the 1987 murder of his socialite wife, was extradited Friday from Thailand to the United States to face trial.</p><p>Thai police handed over James Vincent Sullivan, 62, to U.S. authorities on Thursday, and he was put on a flight to the United States on Friday, a U.S. Embassy official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. He refused to give details.</p><p>Sullivan is accused of arranging the murder of his wife Lita McClinton Sullivan, 35. She was shot when she opened the door of her townhouse in Atlanta, Georgia to a man posing as a flower delivery man.</p><p>She and Sullivan were undergoing a divorce at the time, and prosecutors believe he did not want to lose a Palm Beach, Florida, mansion and other property to his wife.</p><p>Authorities say he fled to Costa Rica and later to Thailand after being indicted. Sullivan was arrested July 2, 2002, at his condominium in Cha-am beach resort, 160 kilometers (100 miles) south of Bangkok, after someone recognized him on the television show "America's Most Wanted."</p><p>American authorities have said they will seek the death penalty in a trial expected next year.</p><p>A former truck driver accused of being the trigger-man, Phillip Anthony Harwood, pleaded guilty in February last year to reduced charges in exchange for testimony against Sullivan.</p><p>Harwood, who was arrested in 1998, was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Although Harwood admits being involved in the slaying, he denies being the gunman.</p><p>vj</p>

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