COURT WON'T BLOCK EXTRADITION OF MAN WHO LOST ASYLUM

A man who walked away from a Virginia prison farm 25 years ago and led an
"exemplary life" in Michigan under the protection of the governor can be
sent back to face charges, an appeals court ruled Tuesday.

Michigan's Court of Appeals refused to block the extradition of Alfred
Martin, who was convicted in Virginia of selling $10 worth of marijuana and
sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Then-Gov. William Milliken refused to extradite Martin 22 years ago, in
effect granting him legal asylum in Michigan. But the charges surfaced
again last month when Martin, 49, was stopped for driving with expired
license plates.

Circuit Judge William Cahalan said Monday that he had no choice but to
honor Virginia's request for Martin's return.

Martin's lawyers appealed to the state Supreme Court and requested an
emergency order to block the extradition. No ruling was made Tuesday.