Trumbull prosecutor, US officials discuss Hoerig's extradition

By Ed Runyan | May 5, 2017 at 12:02a.m.

WARREN

Trumbull County Prosecutor Dennis Watkins met April 27 with officials from the U.S. Justice and State departments to discuss the extradition of Claudia Hoerig from Brazil to Trumbull County so she can stand trial in the 2007 shooting death of her husband, Air Force Maj. Karl Hoerig.

Watkins also spoke with an official working for Brazil’s attorney general about the case March 29, Watkins said in a press release.

The meeting with U.S. officials dealt with the role Watkins’ office will play if Claudia Hoerig is returned to Ohio for trial, Watkins said.

He added because the matter is being handled by U.S. officials, he would not disclose the content of his discussions with them.

“Diplomacy must be given a chance to work in this matter, especially after the effort by American prosecutors, diplomats and elected officials serving during the Bush, Obama and present Trump administrations,” Watkins said.

In March, the Brazilian Supreme Court ruled Claudia Hoerig was subject to extradition to the United States.

But there are still two steps that remain, Watkins said: an appeal by Hoerig for the purpose of clarifying the ruling and a final decision by the Brazilian Ministry of Justice as to whether Brazil will, in fact, surrender her.

U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Howland, D-13th, wrote a letter Tuesday to Trump asking for the president’s help in getting Claudia Hoerig returned to Ohio.

“I would very much appreciate every effort that you can make to bring justice to bear in this case,” Ryan said.

Claudia Hoerig is charged with aggravated murder in the March 12, 2007, death of her husband, who was found dead in their Newton Falls home.

Karl Hoerig, a Newton Falls native, was 43 when he died, and Claudia was 42.

After Karl’s death, Claudia fled to her native Brazil.

In April 2016, the Brazilian Supreme Court stripped Hoerig of her Brazilian citizenship, which was thought at the time to also remove her protection and allow her return to the U.S. to stand trial.