CANADA ORDERS EXTRADITION OF GRAHAM FOR AQUASH MURDER

Thursday, June 22, 2006 | 8:29 PM CT
CBC News

Federal Justice Minister Vic Toews has ordered the extradition of former Yukoner John Graham, who is wanted in the United States for the 1976 murder of Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq activist Anna Mae Pictou Aquash. Aquash was shot in the back of the head at the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota.

Graham, who now lives in Vancouver, was a member of the American Indian Movement, as was Aquash, at the time she was killed. He was arrested for the murder in December 2003.

In 2005, the B.C. Supreme Court decided that Graham should be sent to the U.S. to face the charges. The extradition order issued Thursday by the federal government follows that up.

Graham's lawyer Greg Delbigio says Graham will launch a joint appeal on both the extradition order and the court decision. Delbigio said he expects a court date for the appeal will be set Friday. He will also ask the B.C. Court of Appeal that Graham be granted an extension of his bail.