Rhett Fuller out on bail

On Monday we reported that the Chief Justice Abdullah Conteh ordered that Rhett Fuller be granted bail. Today News Five learnt that on the same day we reported the story, Fuller was released around 10:00 in the morning from the Youth Enhancement Academy. Fuller has been imprisoned since October 1998 awaiting an extradition hearing. Viewers may recall that 2 years ago, Chief Magistrate Herbert Lord ruled that there was sufficient evidence for Fuller to be extradited to the U.S. to face charges of first-degree murder in connection with the death of Larry Miller, a Florida resident, who was shot during an armed robbery. Throughout his imprisonment, Fuller has maintained innocence and he is presently out on a $50,000 bail plus 2 sureties of the same amount. According to Solicitor General, Edwin Flowers, bail was granted to Fuller because of the long delay in his extradition hearing. Flowers says following Lord’s ruling, Fuller had 21 days in which to apply to the Supreme Court for release. That application was made and heard before former Chief Justice John Rivero. But before Rivero could make a ruling in the case, he tragically died in a traffic accident. Following Rivero’s death, Troadio Gonzales was then appointed Acting Chief Justice, but for some unknown reason, Gonzales did not take up Fuller’s case. It is not known when the extradition hearing will be heard before newly appointed Chief Justice Conteh but until that time, Fuller remains a free man.