Scots murder suspect loses battle over US extradition

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CATRIONA WEBSTER

were “substantially the same” as those considered in 2012.

Responding to the judgment, Mr Hayes’s mother, Patricia Gallagher, told BBC News: “I really don’t understand how he was ever allowed to file that many appeals.

“That’s way too many and he said he’s a victim, and he’s not.”

She said her son’s death had been “real rough” on her grandchildren, who had been brought up without a father.

“We keep Josh very much alive here. He’ll always be carried in my heart and my head.”

Harkins, who has dual nationality through his Scottish mother and American father, was living in Greenock and working in Glasgow while on the run.

In August 1999, the body of Mr Hayes, 22, was found near a public boat ramp in Jacksonville. It was reported that as Mr Hayes and another person were sitting in a parked vehicle, they were approached by a man with an assault rifle.

The pair left the vehicle and there was a verbal exchange, following which Mr Hayes was shot in the head from close range.

Harkins failed to attend court hearings, and his case was featured on US television through a local police programme.

A tip-off provided an address in Scotland and extradition papers were drafted.

Harkins was then arrested for a driving offence in Greenock, when the connection was made. He was jailed for five years at the High Court in Edinburgh and banned from driving for 10 years.

As he reached 60mph and crossed on to the wrong side of the road in Eldon Street, Greenock, where the limit was 30mph, his car hit a taxi travelling towards him.

The rear seat passenger in the taxi, Jean O’Neill, 62, of Rose Crescent, Gourock, died and the driver, another passenger and Harkins were all injured. He pled guilty to a charge of causing Mrs O’Neill’s death by dangerous driving.