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MAYVILLE, NY (WNY News Now) – A Jamestown felon suspected of murder was expected to be transferred back to the region for prosecution this past week. However, officials say that process has been delayed.
Chautauqua County District Attorney Jason Schmidt updated the community saying that Burham’s return date is no longer clear and it could be “up to two weeks” before the felon is back in New York.
DA Schmidt tells us that he has been in close contact with the Pennsylvania and Federal prosecutors. He tells us he wants to be as transparent as possible given the size and severity of this case.
Since May 11, Jamestown Police have been searching for Burham, following the homicide of Kala Hodgkin. He was wanted for questioning, alongside warrants for a car fire, and rape charges.
Burham is also accused of kidnapping an elderly couple out of Warren County at gunpoint, making them drive him to South Carolina where he was eventually taken into custody on May 24.
“On the federal charges, he was brought before a local magistrate in South Carolina to determine whether he was going to contest his extradition on the federal charges.,“ explained Chautauqua County DA Jason Schmidt. “At this point he’s waived. My understanding is that he’s going to be transported back to the Western District of New York which filed those initial charges, and he’ll be brought before that group.”
Upon his capture, Burham waived any challenges to his extradition to New York State. Before he can be transferred, his federal charges must be settled by the local magistrate in South Carolina. Then it will be up to the individual states involved to take on the case.
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