US rape suspect Nicholas Rossi set to listen to extradition determination

A rape suspect combating extradition to the US is in the present day (Wednesday, August 2) anticipated to search out out whether or not he will likely be despatched to America.  Nicholas Rossi is because of seem at Edinburgh Sheriff Court this morning.

Rossi, 35, is needed within the US in reference to alleged offences together with rape. He is contesting strikes by authorities there to have him flown over to face authorized proceedings.

He claims to be an Irish orphan known as Arthur Knight, a sufferer of mistaken id.  Today’s listening to was postponed beforehand on medical grounds.

Rossi was arrested within the UK greater than two years in the past in reference to the alleged offences within the US.

He was being handled for Covid-19 on the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow when he was detained in December 2021.  It has been alleged that Rossi faked his personal loss of life in 2020 and fled from the US to the UK to evade prosecution.

Last month, a lawyer combating in opposition to Rossi’s extradition argued in court docket it could be a “flagrant violation” of his human rights. Mungo Bovey KC argued that Rossi, who claims to be one other man named Arthur Knight, had by no means been confirmed to be a US nationwide citizen.

Bovey raised various points he argued would breach Rossi’s rights if he have been to be extradited together with the influence on his well being, the added issue he would have participating with legal professionals and the situation of prisons.  He argued Rossi’s propensity to create “conflict” throughout the jail system, which he attributed to a suspected persona dysfunction, may make life tough for him in a US jail.

Bovey raised these factors after an adjournment was known as when Rossi introduced to the court docket he wished to dismiss his lawyer.   Rossi stated twice that he needed to “dismiss counsel” which drew a warning from the sheriff.

He instructed Rossi: “If you are disruptive I will have you removed from court.”  The listening to continued following the temporary adjournment with no additional point out of Rossi’s calls for.

In the afternoon, advocate depute Alan Cameron urged the sheriff to dismiss Bovey’s arguments and proof led by Rossi referring to his alleged poor well being which Cameron insisted couldn’t be relied upon.  Rossi, who has been utilizing a wheelchair to attend court docket for the reason that listening to started, beforehand claimed he was unable to stroll and couldn’t elevate his arms above his head.

But Cameron reminded the court docket {that a} earlier speaker, Dr Barbara Mundweil, had stated there isn’t a medical cause for Rossi to make use of the wheelchair.  Cameron went on to argue there was no proof that Rossi suffered from any situation, bodily or in any other case, which might be a barrier to his extradition.