New York – Prosecutors in Arizona say they won't agree to extradite the accused right now Murdering a woman in Soho Because they don't trust Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.
Rod Almansouri is being held in Arizona, where police say he stabbed two women. The Manhattan DA wants to bring him to New York to face charges in that SoHo murder, but Maricopa County Prosecutor Rachel Mitchell wants him to stay in Arizona for now.
“I want to say that I'm aware that New York wants to extradite this person. And I'm sure it's not aimed at the New York Police Department. I know they've done a tough job, and they've done a good job. But we're not going to agree to extradite, that's I have instructed my extradition attorneys not to agree. We are keeping him here. These are mandatory prison sentences. After observing the treatment of violent offenders, Alvin Bragg, Manhattan DA in the New York area, I think it is safe to keep him here and in custody so he can stay in our state, “You can't do this to individuals in the county or anywhere in the United States,” Mitchell said.
A spokeswoman for the Manhattan district attorney, Emily Tuttle, called Mitchell's comments “deeply troubling” and accused him of “playing political games in the homicide investigation.”
“In Manhattan, we are serious about the safety of New Yorkers, which is why homicides are down 24% and shootings are down 38% since DA Bragg took office. New York's homicide rate is less than half that of Phoenix, Arizona. It's all about the hard work of the NYPD and all of our law enforcement partners,” Tuttle said. “To refuse to allow us to demand justice and full accountability for the death of a New Yorker is a slap in the face to them and to the victims of our case.”
“I've never heard of one state extraditing from another state,” criminal defense attorney and former prosecutor David Schwartz told CBS New York.
He said Mitchell's statement was unconstitutional and politically motivated.
“It's a pretty ridiculous argument to hold somebody who you think the laws in another state aren't going to protect people on bail,” he said.
He added, “Undoubtedly they are competent to try this case of a criminal defendant who is being held on remand without bail.”
Check out Tim McNicholas' report
Mitchell said at a news conference where police said Almanzuri wanted to hurt more people.
“This arrest, without a doubt, as brutal as anything he's ever done, stopped someone from continuing down that destructive path,” Aris said. Police Chief Benny Bina said.
Arizona police said Almanzuri confessed to killing a man in New York earlier this month. The NYPD believes Almansouri carried out the attack Denisse Oleas-Arancibia, 38, was stabbed to death in a Soho hotel.
Investigators also said he sexually assaulted a woman in Florida in April. Leah Palian said the woman was with her and told the terrifying story during a call with the CBS affiliate.
“This man had a very tight grip on my neck, under my chin, and immediately cut off the airway. He knew he was doing it,” Palian said.
Palian, who said she worked with Almanzuri at an Orlando restaurant, said he left in her car after she called 911. He was later arrested and charged.
“I actually told them, if you let him walk around with a slap on the wrist, he's going to become a serial killer,” Palian said.
Records show Almanzuri was charged with grand theft auto in Florida, but the sexual battery and aggravated assault charges were dropped.
“Florida State failed me really badly,” Palian said.
Prosecutors in Orange County, Flotiffs, tell CBS New York there is insufficient evidence to prove the sexual battery and aggravated assault charges. He got bail there in September. A statement from the Orange County District Attorney's Office reads:
“Our office found sufficient evidence to file a charge of grand theft of a motor vehicle. Almansouri was arrested and given a $2,500 bond for that third-degree felony, which is typical for the type of charge and consistent with Florida law mandating bond. In most cases, Almansouri was released from jail after posting bail in September 2023. His next court hearing is a pre-trial conference on March 13. Based on the new information we received, our office has filed a motion to revoke Almansoori's bond.
“We are devastated to hear about the tragic events in New York and Arizona, and our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their loved ones and all affected communities.. We care deeply about victims in our communities and do everything possible to support them and build strong cases to secure convictions. We acknowledge the hurt and pain of not being able to legally pursue a case.”
Mitchell said he may file for extradition to New York later Wednesday, but he wants to proceed first.
In an email, Oleas-Aranciba's sister told CBS New York's Timothy McNicholas that she was a hard-working, intelligent, bright woman, and the family is heartbroken.
The NYPD is working with the FBI To see if Almansoori was linked to other crimes.
