SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — A 19-year-old man who authorities say fled to Africa after fatally stabbing an 84-year-old woman is being held in northern Indiana on murder and other charges following his extradition from Sierra Leone.
William Karimu of Mishawaka (mish-ah-WAH’-kuh) held his head down throughout his arraignment Wednesday in a St. Joseph County court. A judge appointed a public defender for him, but the jail had no record of Karimu’s attorney.
Karimu was arrested in Sierra Leone in August, about seven months after Lois Hickey was found dead Dec. 29 in her Mishawaka home. Authorities say Karimu’s DNA matches blood found at Hickey’s home.
Court documents say Karimu fled to his homeland after he submitted to the DNA test.
Karimu’s next court date Sept. 18.
