Father in U.S. murder rap bid (From Western Telegraph)

Father in U.S. murder rap bid

A MAN arrested in Pembrokeshire on a murder charge is fighting extradition to America, where he could face the death penalty.

Father-of-four Christopher St John, who hoped to make his home in Haverfordwest, is accused of the first degree murder of his wifes uncle, John Bowman.

Mr St John and his wife, April, lived and worked with 64-year-old Mr Bowman in the small trailer park community of Roscoe, Pennsylvania. He is accused of assaulting Mr Bowman at the familys business - Martonys restaurant - last May. Mr Bowman died 17 hours later after both men had returned to work the next day.

At the time, the cause of death was thought to be a heart attack.

Mr St John, aged 45, met his wife through a dating agency in 1985. After their wedding in Wales, he moved to Pennsylvania where they had four children: Katie, aged 15; Christina, 14; Steven, 13; and Susie, 12.

Just over a month after Mr Bowmans death, Mr St John came to stay with his sister, Fatima Howells in Haverfordwest. The marriage had deteriorated and he wanted to get a divorce and settle in Pembrokeshire with his children.

On August 1st, 2000, Dyfed Powys police arrested Mr St John at his sisters house.

Mrs Howells said: When the police arrived, he opened the door to them. He had no idea why they were there.

When they told him he was under arrest for murder, he just sat there and looked at them. He couldnt even speak. He was in shock.

I am devastated over it. He is such a lovely man. We were born and bred in Cardiff. I cant understand why they want to send him back to a state that carries the death penalty for a crime he didnt commit.

If he could have done something like that, I would know. Hes just not capable of it. All Christopher has ever wanted is a quiet life.

He grew up wanting to be a police officer and has worked in security both here and in America.

I spoke to his wife a couple of weeks before he came over and she told me that her uncle had died of a heart attack. The next thing I knew, he was being arrested for murder. It just doesnt make sense.

Mr St John has been in Brixton Prison since August 2000, but may now be moved to Cardiff Prison to be closer to his family.

An appeal under the Human Rights Act to stop the extradition was set back last Thursday when Legal Aid was refused.

His barrister Paul Garlick and solicitor Andrew Shanahan, of Leo Abse and Cohen, are considering the teams next move.

The final decision on extradition rests with Home Secretary David Blunkett, who would be guided by officials, said a Home Office spokesman.