Murdered Valley airman may finally rest in peace

After more than nine years watching the wheels of justice in Brazil turn ever so slowly, we greet the news of accused murderer Claudia C. Hoerig’s arrest with cautious optimism.

Hoerig is charged with killing her husband, Karl, in their Newton Falls home on March 12, 2007. Claudia fled to her native Brazil just before the body of the decorated major in the U.S. Air Force Reserve was found. He had been shot.

Trumbull County Prosecutor Dennis Watkins, who has remained steadfast in his determination to bring Hoerig’s killer to justice, secured a grand jury indictment of Claudia on a charge of aggravated murder with a gun specification.

However, Watkins’ efforts to have her sent back from Brazil to stand trial have been ignored by both the Brazilian and American governments. His appeals to the White House, first under Republican President George W. Bush and now under Democratic President Barack Obama, have fallen on deaf ears.

Even the lobbying by members of Ohio’s congressional delegation, led by Democratic Rep. Tim Ryan of Howland and former area Democratic Congressman John Boccieri, a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force Reserve, did not sway Brasilia or Washington.

But Watkins was undaunted, often seeking The Vindicator’s editorial support, which we were only too happy to provide. We have always believed in the rightness of the Trumbull prosecutor’s cause.

We haven’t always agreed with Watkins on matters of law enforcement and prosecutorial conduct, but when it came to bringing Claudia Hoerig back to Trumbull County to stand trial, there was no disagreement.

She is one of the Mahoning Valley’s most wanted criminals, and now there is every reason to believe that the waiting is almost over.

Last week, Congressman Ryan and Watkins announced that the Supreme Court in Brazil had ruled that the accused was not a Brazilian citizen, but is a citizen of the United States. As such, the extradition agreement that exists between the two counties can be enforced.

Naturalized US citizen

Claudia Hoerig had renounced her Brazilian citizenship when she became a naturalized U.S. citizen after marrying Karl Hoerig. However, when she fled to her native country after the killing of her husband, she sought protection from her homeland. And she got it – for more than nine years.

But, with her arrest, the wheels of justice can now begin to turn faster.

While we would like to declare victory for the family of the late Maj. Hoerig, for Prosecutor Watkins, and for Congressman Ryan, state Rep. Boccieri and others, we are reminded of a comment that was made several years ago: Members of Claudia Hoerig’s family have friends in high places.

We, therefore, are cautiously optimistic when it comes to the extradition hearing that would be conducted by the Brazilian Supreme Court. Indeed, it could be many months before a decision is rendered.

However, we would hope that the Obama administration now takes a more aggressive stance and makes it clear to the Brazilian government that time is of the essence in returning Claudia Hoerig to Warren to stand trial.

Karl Hoerig’s parents are elderly and have waited many years for closure in the murder of their son. They have suffered in silence while Brazilian officials turned a blind eye to the accused murderer in their midst.

We expect the Obama administration to pull out all the stops in building the case for Claudia Hoerig’s extradition. If Trumbull Prosecutor Watkins’ presence is necessary, the administration should make arrangements for him to travel to Brazil.

This is a case that cries out for justice, not only because a respected member of the community was murdered, but because of Maj. Hoerig’s service to his country. He served in the Middle East and was a popular member of the 910th Air Force Reserve unit at the air base in Vienna Township.

He and Boccieri served together and were friends.

We acknowledge that a grand jury indictment is not a ruling of guilt and that Claudia Hoerig is presumed innocent. The prosecution will have the burden of proving her guilt.

There is one certainty in all of this: The accused will receive a fair trial. Extraditing her from Brazil to the United States should be pro forma.