Peru-Quid Pro Quo---Van der Sloot/Mezzich

By Andy Kahan

First of all my deepest sympathy to the family of 21- year-old Stephany Flores who was brutally murdered allegedly at the hands of Joran Van der Sloot. Of course we all know and recall Van der Sloot as being the prime suspect in the disappearance and presumably murdered Natalee Holloway five years ago on the Dutch island Aruba.

Secondly, hat's off to the Peruvian government for the expeditious extradition of Vander der Sloot from the country of Chile. Within days of being named a suspect in the murder of Stephany Flores, Van der Sloot was extradited back to Peru to face charges of murder. According to Peru's Police Chief, Van der Sloot confessed to the murder of Stephany Flores.

Now let's compare the above with the case of Peruvian citizen Evelyn Mezzich who while attending The University of Texas in 1996 allegedly while driving drunk killed 18 year-old Lindsay Brashier and permanently paralyzed another passenger. Mezzich (See my previous post dated 1/11/2010 for more details) was charged with Intoxicated Manslaughter and Intoxicated Assault and posted bond immediately. Within months Mezzich and her family bolted to Peru where she remains today. Mezzich remains a fugitive from justice.

In 2007 Mezzich was discovered via MySpace which prominently highlighted her new life which included earning a degree in Psychology, getting married and having a child. Mezzich also posted several unflattering photos of herself drinking and a poetic quote 'Life's too short---so live it up!'

Lindsay's mother Marilyn Datz has spent the last 14 years seeking justice for her daughter but has been met with one road-block after another from Peru. The United States Department of Justice which just last year extradited a murder suspect back to Peru to face charges was finally told by the Peruvian Justice System several months ago that extradition of Mezzich was denied on 'Procedural' grounds. Mezzich's family is a prominent member of Lima's medical community which I am sure had nothing to do with their decision. The Justice Department is appealing that decision.

So, on one hand it the pursuit of justice appears to be a double standard for Peru. In the span of less than one year The United States and Chile willingly extradite murder suspects to stand trial for murder while Peru thumbs it's nose when it comes to their turn to comply with extradition demands. Marilyn Datz may not be part of the upper echelon of society (No offense Marilyn) but she deserves the same quick response and treatment the Flores family received from the government of Peru.

Now is the time for Peru to step up to the plate and show the world that when it comes to seeking justice they are equitable partners when it comes to both extraditing criminal suspects. You can't have it both ways. Stop the hypocrisy and let the wheels of justice finally turn for the Datz family.