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Rhode Island: Federal Prosecutors Fight Governor Over Murder Suspect

By JESS BIDGOOD

Published: April 4, 2012

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A federal appeals panel heard arguments on Wednesday over Gov. Lincoln Chafee 's refusal to surrender a murder suspect to federal prosecutors. The suspect, Jason W. Pleau, 34, is accused of shooting a gas station employee in front of a federally insured bank in 2010. He has agreed to plead guilty and serve a life sentence without parole in Rhode Island, which does not have the death penalty. The governor is concerned that Mr. Pleau will face the death penalty if he is tried in federal court. Mr. Chafee is believed to be the first governor to refuse to surrender a suspect to the federal authorities.

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