Richard Church's lawyer wants him home as soon as possible and has therefore advised him to waive extradition and return to Illinois where he won't be "alone and unprotected."
Church, wanted for the stabbing deaths three years ago of Raymond and Ruth Ann Ritter, both 45, of Woodstock, Ill., will most likely waive extradition and return to Illinois.Richard McKenney told the Deseret news late Saturday night from Illinois he has spoken with his client by phone and suggested he tell the judge in Monday's extradition hearing in Third District Court that he is willing to return to that state.
Thus far Church has followed his attorney's advice and has remained silent. He said nothing Friday during a hearing before U.S. Magistrate Ronald Boyce when federal charges of flight-to-avoid-prosecution were dropped and Church was released.
After the hearing, local authorities immediately took Church into custody on an Illinois warrant and returned him to Salt Lake County Jail. Police from Illinois appeared before the hearing and filed the warrant for Church's arrest on murder charges. McKenney said he believes two Illinois detectives are still in Salt Lake City to escort Church back to Woodstock.
"These proceedings are just red tape," McKenney said. "I suppose the court could appoint an attorney for Richard at this time, but I really don't think it's necessary."
"His parents and I want him back here," McKenney said.
McKenney said his first action on Church's behalf will be to seek a change of venue. "We are a small community of less than 15,000 people," McKenney explained. His hope is that the trial will be moved south, away from Woodstock and further away from the influence of Chicago newspapers, he said.
Church's attorney believes the trial will not begin until late spring. "The prosecution has had three years to build its case," McKenney said. "I'll need some time to catch up."
McKenney said Church's parents asked him to take the case while Church was still missing. He said when he spoke to Church in jail the night he was apprehended, Church also asked that he act as counsel.Church faces two counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder and one count of home invasion, according to McKenney.
He believes the state will seek the death penalty.
Church was arrested Thursday at his apartment after Salt Lake police detective Craig Park recognized him at a Crossroads Mall restaurant.
He is wanted in the Aug. 21, 1988, slayings of his ex-girlfriend's parents. Coleen Ritter, 20, and her brother Matthew, 14, survived the attack.