Va. Prisoner at Center of Tug-of-War With Germany
German government is petitioning the Justice Department to transfer Soering
Saturday, Mar 20, 2010 | Updated 3:31 PM EST
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Philanthropist and investor Alberto Vilar was sentenced today to nine years in prison.
The U.S. Justice Department is now involved in the tug-of-war over a German diplomat's son imprisoned in Virginia for a double murder.
Jens Soering is serving two life terms in Virginia for the 1985 stabbing deaths of his then-girlfriend's parents, Derek and Nancy Haysom, in Bedford County.
The German government is petitioning the Justice Department to transfer Soering to his native country, according to a justice letter released Friday.
The letter was released by state Sen. Steve Newman, a Lynchburg Republican who opposes Soering's transfer.
In his final days as governor, Tim Kaine (D) requested that the government allow Soering to be transferred to a German prison. Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) rescinded Kaine's request.
Copyright Associated Press / NBC4 Washington
Posted Saturday, Mar 20, 2010 - 3:14 PM EST
