Sierra Escapee Might Avoid Extradition

We told you this week about a man who escaped from the Sierra Conservation Center in 1967, and who was recently caught in Texas. 60-year-old Donald Johnson had been living an exemplary life, after quietly walking away from a work detail outside prison walls almost 40 years ago.

Now, authorities say they may not extradite him back to California. Johnson´s wife, who apparently didn´t know about his past, is now in poor health, according to the Modesto Bee. And a spokesman from the Sierra Conservation Center says there may not by any surviving witnesses to testify to Johnson´s excape.

It´s not about the statute of limitations either, since such time limits don´t apply to fugitives.

Ron McGullion is a Texas police detective, who´s been quoted as saying extradition isn´t automatic, and because of the circumstances and the fact that Johnson´s kept his nose clean for almost four decades, he may not get extradited after all.

An extradition hearing is slated for the end of the month, in Texas.