The lawyer who brokered the return of the stolen war medals is poised to represent captured fugitive Nai Yin Xue.
Chris Comeskey, who negotiated the return of the 96 medals stolen from the Waiouru Army Museum, said he would ‘‘in all likelihood'' take the defence case on behalf of barrister Calvin Wootton - Xue's New Zealand lawyer.
Mr Comeskey said he had yet to receive ‘‘firm instructions'' and would know more once Mr Wootton had spoken to Xue.
Mr Comeskey - who is also representing Bruce Emery on charges over the death of tagger Pihema Clifford in South Auckland - works in the same Auckland chambers as Mr Wootton.
‘‘In all likelihood, Calvin will instruct me,'' Mr Comeskey said.
Two Auckland detectives are due to arrive in the US today to speak to witnesses to Xue's arrest in Chamblee, a town on the outskirts of Atlanta, Georgia, on Friday.
The arrest, aided by a group of Chinese Americans, came after a six-month manhunt for Xue, who has been wanted since September following the murder of his wife Anan Liu in Auckland and the abandonment of their 3-year-old daughter Qian Xun Xue at a Melbourne railway station.
Detective Senior Sergeant Simon Scott - who led the homicide investigation - said he had not heard whether Xue had enlisted the help of a lawyer but he did have rights under both American and New Zealand laws.
‘‘He's able to access criminal representation in New Zealand just like anyone else is and we will ensure he is able to have his rights met.''
Xue was arrested on Friday morning and taken into the DeKalb County Jail, where he spent a night in a holding cell away from other prisoners while authorities decided if he should be deported on immigration matters or extradited by New Zealand on the murder charge.
On Saturday, Xue was taken to the Atlanta Federal Court for a hearing but it was called off at the last minute once it was decided he would be deported for staying in the country longer than he stated on his entry card.
Xue is now believed to be in the custody of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, who will eventually escort him home.
That could happen within two weeks if all the paperwork is in order.
Xue will be charged with murder once he arrives back in New Zealand and will be processed like any other newly arrested person.
