Philipsburg:-- Outside the court of First Instance was a spectacular place yesterday as family members and other curious visitors stood up to see FBI murder suspect Michael Jason Registe an American fugitive who was arrested on St. Maarten earlier this year. Registe appeared before the three judge's panel of the court of appeals in the presence of his closest relatives.Registe is wanted in Georgia State for shooting to death two college students execution style. They are Bryan Kilgore and Randy Newton Jr. on July 20 2007.
Representing Registe is attorney at law Remko Stomp who argued that he feared his client would not get a fair trial since the crime was committed in a so- called red state which is to be considered a racist state. Stomp also wanted the court to hear witnesses in the extradition process something that is highly unusual, which was rejected by the court.
Stomp asked the appeal court to throw the case out and deem it inadmissible since he understood that the Americans has law enforcements officers on the island conducting an illegal investigation. Furthermore, Stomp did not convince the court that the Americans were indeed here and have conducted any investigations. Stomp also argued that the arrest conducted by the local A team was not done in accordance of the law since there was no authorization from the judge of instructions. He said the Americans did not live up to what the posted on the FBI website when it comes to the reward monies of $100,000 that would lead to the capture of Registe. "So far no one on St. Maarten received that money" Stomp said.
The court of Appeals managed to secure a written guarantee from the Americans which stated they will not demand the death penalty when they try the case in that country.
The court is expected to send their decision to the Governor General of the Netherlands Antilles on December 23, 2008, which will be faxed to Stomp office.
Attorney Remko Stomp said if the outcome of the hearing is not satisfactory to him he will appeal the case to the Supreme Court in the Hague. "My contention is I don't trust the Americans in Georgia State and I don't believe my client would get a fair trial. Stomp said.
