Obama’s help sought in court case

By Ed Runyan

Communications from Brazilian and United States authorities have ceased, the prosecutor said.

WARREN — Dennis Watkins, Trumbull County prosecutor, has written to President Barack Obama asking for help with getting a trial for a Brazilian woman accused of killing her husband in Newton Falls in 2007.

Claudia E. Hoerig was indicted on an aggravated murder charge in the death of Karl Hoerig on March 12, 2007, in their Newton Falls home.

She fled to her native country of Brazil, whose extradition treaty with the United States does not require Brazil to return Brazilian natives to the United States who have been accused of killing a U.S. citizen while visiting or living in the United States.

“I view the treaty as one-sided unacceptable,” Watkins wrote in the letter, which also went to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder Jr., Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th.

Watkins explained that David Brassanini of the Office of the Legal Attache Brazilia, Brazil, advised him in January 2008 that Claudia Hoerig could be charged under Brazilian law, tried in Brazil and sentenced to between six and 30 years in prison if convicted.

Watkins researched the workings of such a proceeding and then wrote to Brazilian officials expressing the prosecutor’s position on the matter and requesting additional information about any possible trial in Brazil.

Watkins has received no response to the letter.

Watkins then communicated with the Office of International Affairs in Washington, D.C., in October 2008 and was told U.S. officials would be traveling to Brasilia, Brazil, and would discuss the Hoerig case and report back.

“Though I have called the International Affairs Office about the trip, I have not received any response,” Watkins said.

“Maj. Karl Hoerig was an American hero who served his country with distinction as an Air Force pilot in both war and peace,” Watkins said in the letter.

Watkins previously had written to President George W. Bush, Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice and the U.S. Attorney General’s Office.

But with the new administration coming into the White House, Watkins said, “It is my hope that you will assign the right people to take a fresh look at this case.”

Watkins said he understands that “some delay is to be expected, especially with the major issues you face” in correcting the U.S. economy.

He added, “There is no statute of limitations for murder in Ohio, and as long as Claudia Hoerig lives, justice awaits here in an Ohio courtroom.”

runyan@vindy.com