One of six men charged with the execution-style killings of three college students in Newark, N.J., said yesterday in Prince George’s County District Court that he will fight extradition to New Jersey.
“I want to stay here and fight it,” said Rodolfo Godinez, 24, a Nicaraguan national who was arrested Saturday in Oxon Hill.
Judge Leo E. Green Jr. ordered Mr. Godinez held without bail until a hearing Sept. 20.
Mr. Godinez’s half-brother Alexander Alfaro, 16, who is being held in the Prince William County jail in Woodbridge, declined to waive extradition yesterday in Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court. He will be held pending a court hearing on New Jersey’s extradition request. Alfaro was arrested 20 minutes after Mr. Godinez was captured inside the Riverside Plaza apartments.
Four other men have been arrested on charges of killing the three Delaware State University students and wounding a fourth Aug. 4 behind an elementary school wall. They were shot in the backs of their heads. Killed were Terrance Aeriel, 18; Dashon Harvey, 20; and Iofemi Hightower, 20. Wounded and hospitalized was Natasha Aeriel, 19, Mr. Aeriel’s sister.
The suspects are charged with three counts of murder, one count of attempted murder, four counts of robbery, one charge of conspiracy to rob and two illegal-weapons charges. Cell phones and jewelry reportedly were taken from the victims, but no clear motive has been determined.
Also arrested are Jose Carranza, 28, an illegal alien from Peru; two 15-year-olds; and Melvin Jovel, 18, of Honduras.
Mr. Jovel, 18, was arrested Sunday on a tip gathered during the arrests in the D.C. area, authorities said. His immigration status was not determined.
Mr. Godinez and his half brother were listed as residents of New Jersey. One suspect last week reportedly told investigators that the two had come to the D.C. area.
Mr. Godinez was 9 in 1992 when he reportedly arrived in the United States. He was ordered deported on May 5, 1993, but it is not known whether he left.
Mr. Godinez was arrested at 16 for a robbery in South Orange, N.J. The charge was reduced to theft, and he was sentenced to 18 months of probation. Three years later, he was arrested in Irvington, N.J., on charges of aggravated assault, robbery and weapons possession.
Records show he was arrested again in April 2003, this time for robbery in Newark. That charge was reduced to theft, and he was again placed on 18 months of probation.
• This article is based in part on wire service reports.
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