Murder Suspect to Return to Montana to Face Charges

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — The Yellowstone County attorney says a Billings man being held in Colorado will be sent back to Montana to face charges in the slaying of his great-grandmother.

County attorney Scott Twito (TWY'-toh) says a Denver judge on Monday honored an extradition warrant issued by Gov. Steve Bullock for the return of 19-year-old Robert Alan Thompson.

Thompson previously had refused to waive extradition proceedings.

Twito said Tuesday the county has until Sept. 11 to arrange for Thompson's return, but county officials plan to have him back in the state for arraignment by the end of next week.

Thompson is being held on suspicion of deliberate homicide in the July 19 beating and stabbing death of 77-year-old Shirley Lawrence. He was arrested in Denver on July 20 while driving her car.