One of US's most wanted seeks SA legal aid

US fugitive Nicole Michelle King was arrested in Brakpan.

US fugitive Nicole Michelle King was arrested in Brakpan.

Published Sep 20, 2016

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Johannesburg - US fugitive Nichole King has requested legal representation in the extradition case against her.

During her brief appearance in the Brakpan Magistrate's Court on Monday, she said she no longer wanted to represent herself.

The case was postponed to next week to allow King time to get a Legal Aid lawyer.

Before the adjournment, magistrate Bettina Maredi turned down the State's request for the matter to be temporarily stood down.

The State wanted time to clarify when the 60-day extradition period agreement between the US and South Africa would expire.

Although the State said it would be on October 10, King insisted it was October 8, as she was arrested on August 10.

During her previous court case, which was just a few days after she was taken into custody at her Brakpan home, King's case was postponed to allow the State to get the formal extradition documents from the US.

The 44-year-old, who has been on America's most wanted list for the past seven years, was arrested by members of Interpol's fugitive and extradition unit on the instruction of US authorities.

She was found guilty of fraud and embezzlement in the US.

King skipped the country in 2009 before she could be sentenced. She found a hiding place in South Africa.

Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Netshiunda said at the time that King had used the same name and entered the country legally with a valid passport.

While in the country, she worked as a part-time auditor for Coastal Hire, an equipment hire franchise. She lived in Kempton Park and later moved to Brakpan, where she was arrested.

Netshiunda said King had been found with the help of the American authorities, who were adamant that she must be extradited back to Winnebago County to be sentenced for defrauding and embezzling her employer.

He said it was for that reason that the case was postponed as all the relevant documents were needed for extradition procedures to begin.

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The Star

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