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Local News


ARIZONA PROSECUTORS WON'T AGREE TO EXTRADITE SOHO HOTEL MURDER SUSPECT TO NEW
YORK, SUGGEST LACK OF TRUST IN MANHATTAN DA

By Tim McNicholas, Jesse Zanger

Updated on: February 21, 2024 / 9:42 PM EST / CBS New York

 * 
 * 
 * 

Arizona prosecutor won't extradite SoHo murder suspect

NEW YORK - Prosecutors in Arizona say they won't agree right now to extradite
the man accused of murdering a woman in SoHo because they don't trust Manhattan
District Attorney Alvin Bragg. 

Raad Almansoori is locked up in Arizona, where police say he stabbed two women.
The Manhattan DA wants to bring him to New York to face charges for that SoHo
murder, but Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell wants him to stay in
Arizona, for now. 



"I just want to say that I know there's been discussion about New York wanting
to extradite this individual. And I'm sure that this is not aimed at the New
York Police Department at all, I know they did a hard job, and they did a good
job. But we will not be agreeing to extradition. I've instructed my extradition
attorneys not to agree to that. We're going to keep him here. These are
mandatory prison sentences. And having observed the treatment of violent
criminals in the New York area by the Manhattan DA there, Alvin Bragg, I think
it's safer to keep him here and keep him in custody so that he can not be out
doing this to individuals either in our state, county or anywhere in the United
States," Mitchell said. 

A spokesperson from the Manhattan District Attorney, Emily Tuttle, called
Mitchell's comments "deeply disturbing" and accused her of "playing political
games in a murder investigation."

"In Manhattan, we are serious about New Yorkers' safety, which is why murders
are down 24% and shootings are down 38% since D.A. Bragg took office. New York's
murder rate is less than half that of Phoenix, Arizona, because of the hard work
of the NYPD and all of our law enforcement partners," Tuttle said. "It is a slap
in the face to them and to the victim in our case to refuse to allow us to seek
justice and full accountability for a New Yorker's death."    

Mitchell made the comments at a news conference where police said Almansoori
wanted to hurt more people. 

"This arrest, without a doubt, as heinous as everything he's done so far,
stopped someone from continuing that path of destruction," Surprise, Ariz.
Police Chief Benny Piña said. 

Police in Arizona said Almansoori admitted he killed someone in New York earlier
this month. The NYPD believes Almansoori attacked Denisse Oleas-Arancibia, 38,
with an iron, killing her at a SoHo hotel.



Investigators also said he sexually assaulted a woman in Florida in April. Leah
Palian said that woman was with her, and she told the terrifying story during a
call with a CBS affiliate station. 

"This man had the tightest grip on my neck, right under my chin, cut off the
airway immediately. Knew was he was doing," Palian said. 

Palian, who said she worked with Almansoori at an Orlando restaurant, said he
took off in her car after she called 911. He was later arrested and charged. 

"I literally, verbatim told them, if you let him walk with a slap on the wrist,
he's going to turn into a serial killer," Palian said. 

Records show Almansoori was charged in Florida with Grand Theft Auto, but
charges of sexual battery and aggravated assault were dropped. 



"The state of Florida has failed me so badly," Palian said. 

Prosecutors in Orange County, Fla. tell CBS New York there wasn't enough
evidence to prove the sexual battery and aggravated assault charges. He posted
bail there in September. A statement from Orange County prosecutors reads, in
part: 

> "Our office found sufficient evidence to file a Grand Theft of a Motor Vehicle
> charge. Almansoori was arrested and granted a bond of $2,500 for that
> third-degree felony, which is customary for the type of charge and consistent
> with Florida law which mandates a bond be set in most cases. Almansoori was
> released from jail after posting bail in September 2023. His next scheduled
> court appearance is a pre-trial conference on March 13. Our office has filed a
> motion to revoke Almansoori's bond based on new information we have received.
> 
> "We are disheartened to hear about the tragic events in New York and Arizona
> and our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their loved ones and all
> the communities impacted. We also care deeply about the victims in our
> communities and do everything possible to support them and build strong cases
> to secure convictions. We acknowledge the hurt and pain that is felt when we
> are legally unable to move forward with prosecuting a case."

Mitchell said later Wednesday New York can file for extradition, but she wants
to proceed first. 



In an email, Oleas-Aranciba's sister told CBS New York's Timothy McNicholas she
was a hardworking, smart, bright woman, and the family is heartbroken. 

The NYPD is working with the FBI to see if Almansoori's connected to other
crimes.


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Tim McNicholas

Tim McNicholas is a reporter for CBS New York. He joined the team in September
2022 after working in Chicago, Indianapolis, Toledo and Hastings, Nebraska.

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First published on February 21, 2024 / 3:35 PM EST

© 2024 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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