Fed: Mekhael leaves on flight for Australia

AAP General News (Australia)
08-18-2000
Fed: Mekhael leaves on flight for Australia

By Anthony Stavrinos

SYDNEY, Aug 17 AAP - A truck driver facing manslaughter charges over the death of a
baby left Canada for Australia today under the escort of Canadian authorities.

Mosleh Hanna Mekhael, 27, of Punchbowl in Sydney's west, was expected to be handed
over to New South Wales police tomorrow who would then escort him to a bail hearing in
a Sydney court.

Mekhael was arrested by Canadian authorities at Ottawa International Airport early
last Sunday while checking in for a flight to Venezuela.

The 27-year-old Canadian citizen is accused of losing control of his dump truck in
April, causing a multi-vehicle crash in Sydney that claimed the life of an 11-month-old
boy, Scott Steele.

Mekhael waived his right to an extradition hearing on Tuesday, offering instead to
board a flight to Sydney as early as yesterday (AEST).

Before making a brief appearance in Quebec Superior Court yesterday, Mosleh Hanna Mekhael
signed documents forfeiting his right to an extradition hearing.

The extradition agreement was authorised by Superior Court Justice Jean Pierre Plouffe
and Mekhael was held in custody in Ottawa before boarding a flight early today (AEST).

His return had been delayed by a day due to one of the two escorting officers lacking
the necessary travel documentation.

His wife Gloria Mekhael said after the court hearing she was concerned about the impact
of intense publicity on his right to a fair trial.

"He has already been tried, convicted and hanged by the Australian public and media," she said.

International authorities had been hunting for Mekhael, a Canadian citizen, since July
19 when he left Australia - although his family insists he contacted Australian police
to alert them of his trip home.

It was only when police went to arrest Mekhael for the upgraded charge of manslaughter
that they discovered he had left.

The fatal accident happened when Mekhael was driving his truck, loaded with sand, down
a steep hill. The truck's brakes allegedly failed, sending it crashing into a line of
nine cars.

Mrs Susan Steele was driving her sons Scott, 11 months, and Martin, four, to daycare
at the time of the accident.

AAP as/ah/cat

KEYWORD: MEKHAEL (CARRIED EARLIER)

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