Triple homicide suspect refuses extradition for a second time

Appearing in 3rd District Court in Tooele County, Utah, on Tuesday afternoon, Mauricio Eduardo Sanchez-Johnson, 18, refused to waive extradition for a second time.

Johnson’s attorney Bradley Schofield told Judge Dianna Gibson, “My client is still denying the extradition in this case.”

Earlier this month, Johnson said he refused to waive extradition unless the special circumstances against him were dropped by the Humboldt County District Attorney.

Johnson faces three murder charges and two special allegations for the Feb.10 killing of 40-year-old Nikki Dion Metcalf, 40-year-old Margarett Lee Moon and 16-year-old Shelly Autumn Mae Moon in Bear River. At this time, Johnson is the sole suspect.

State of Utah attorney Robert Clegg told Gibson the state of California has begun the process of bringing Johnson back to Humboldt County.

“California has informed me that they have submitted a request for a governor’s warrant, so that’s underway,” Clegg said. “… I don’t know how long it will take for the governor’s warrant, but hopefully won’t be too long.”

A governor’s warrant spurs legal action. In this case, it could force extradition.

Humboldt County Sheriff William Honsal told the Times-Standard the state Attorney General already granted District Attorney Maggie Fleming’s request to file a governor’s warrant.

“The warrant was granted and issued to the Utah court,” Honsal wrote via email. “The Utah court will the have another hearing (on March 23) in which a judge will review the governor’s warrant and confirm the identification of Mauricio Johnson and then approve the warrant. Johnson will then be ordered to be transported back to Humboldt County. The (District Attorney) will then advise my office and I will dispatch my transport deputies to escort Mr. Johnson back to Humboldt County for his day in court.”

Judge Gibson scheduled a third extradition hearing for April 6.

“If the appropriate documents are filed earlier than that you can always request that the court sets the hearing earlier,” Gibson said.