According to CNN A University of Pittsburgh research professor faces an extradition
hearing in West Virginia on Monday as authorities seek his return to
Pennsylvania where he's accused of killing his wife with a lethal dose
of cyanide.
Robert Ferrante is not expected to put up a fight.
"He's anxious to defend
himself, have his day in court, prove his innocence," said Ferrante's
defense attorney William Difenderfer.
Ferrante is accused of
killing Autumn Klein, a 41-year-old accomplished Pittsburgh doctor. She
was the former head of women's neurology at the University of Pittsburgh
Medical Center.
Ferrante is a researcher and professor of neurological surgery at the University of Pittsburgh.
As part of his position
there, Ferrante managed a laboratory where he conducts trials of various
drugs and chemicals, according to a criminal complaint.
According to the
complaint, text messages were found between the couple on April 17, the
day Klein fell ill. The exchange included Ferrante suggesting creatine
to Klein in hopes of stimulating egg production.
The complaint also alleges that a day earlier, Ferrante placed an order for an "overnight delivery of cyanide."
Investigators allege that Ferrante laced the creatine with cyanide.
Cyanide is a naturally
occurring toxic substance that can be found in seeds of different
plants. It is widely distributed throughout research laboratories as a
chemical used in scientific experiments.
Cyanide interferes with the ability of the body to use oxygen to produce energy, which can lead to rapid death.
On April 17, Allegheny
County 911 dispatch received a call from Ferrante requesting medical
assistance for his wife, who he said was possibly having a stroke, the
complaint read. He described her condition as "conscious and breathing,
but not alert."
When paramedics arrived, they found the victim on the floor of the kitchen with a plastic bag containing creatine.
She died April 20.
According to Karl
Williams, chief medical examiner of Allegheny County, there is no
connection with creatine and fertility. Creatine is a supplement that
bodybuilders use to increase body mass, Williams said.
"The amazing amount of
subpoenas of investigation that went in to determining in fact that it
was a homicide. That's what took so long," Williams said.
Ferrante's arrest
Thursday ended a nationwide manhunt. Officials said West Virginia State
Police apprehended him after his car was stopped while heading north on
Interstate 77 near Beckley, West Virginia.
"He was relatively
quiet," said State Police Sgt. William Tupper. "He knew there were
warrants for him. Said he was en route back to Pittsburgh."
Ferrante has been placed
on immediate and indefinite leave from his university, according to
school spokesman John Andrew Fedele.
Sole and legal custody
of Ferrante's child has been placed with the maternal grandparents,
according to a statement form the district attorney's office.
His financial assets have also been frozen.
Source: CNN
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