Chief Magistrate Herbert Lord will not recuse himself from hearing the Robert Hertular extradition proceeding. That's what Lord told Hertular's attorney Lionel Welch today after Friday's hearing when Welch stated that someone had approached the Ombudsman saying that the Chief Magistrate had received threats from Robert Hertular and his brother Hadrian.
Today Lord said that any alleged bias against Hertular would play no role because it is largely a procedural matter and he can neither hear the case nor rule on it.
Lord then moved on with the proceedings in which he confirmed Hertular's provisional arrest. That meant reading the charges the DEA wants him for: and those are conspiracy to export controlled drugs, distribution of controlled drugs, intimidating a DEA officer, and obstruction of justice. With that Lord said he was satisfied with the U.S government's presentation and confirmed the provisional arrest for 60 days during which time Hertular will remains under remand and the extradition request is expected to be formally received.
The main allegation of the DEA is that agents were investigating Hertular for drug trafficking when he allegedly told one of the agents that he would hire a professional hit man form Colombia to kill them if they didn't stop the investigation.