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Murder suspect Nai Yin Xue is "very happy" and "in good spirits", say New Zealand lawyers who spoke to him yesterday.
Xue, who sparked an international manhunt and is wanted in New Zealand for the murder of his wife An An Liu, was captured in the American town of Chamblee, on the outskirts of Atlanta, last Friday.
He is being held in the US before being deported to New Zealand.
The 53-year-old fugitive had been on the run since September when he fled New Zealand and abandoned his 3-year-old daughter Qian Xun Xue at a Melbourne railway station before flying to the US.
Auckland lawyer Chris Comeskey, who negotiated the return of 96 medals stolen from the Waiouru Army Museum, told the Herald last week he would "in all likelihood" take the defence case on instruction from solicitor Calvin Wootton.
"I can confirm that we've made contact with Mr Xue," Mr Wootton told the Herald last night.
While Xue did not talk to Mr Wootton, he had spoken to staff in his chambers through an interpreter during the conversation at midday yesterday, he said.
Mr Wootton would not confirm if he would continue to represent Xue, saying: "It's really up to him, who he decides to represent him." Mr Wootton was reluctant to reveal more about yesterday's dealings with Xue but when asked how he was faring, he said: "He's very well. He's in good spirits. He was very happy."
When Xue is deported he will be accompanied by US officers. The time frame for this is unknown but it could occur as early as this week.
Xue's signature on an American immigration document is likely to speed up his deportation to New Zealand.
New Zealand police liaison officer, Superintendent Sandra Manderson, said Xue waived his legal rights when he signed a document as he entered the US in September.
That document meant Xue had no legal right to challenge any immigration issues.
Xue was captured after being recognised by six Chinese Americans. They are expected to share the $13,500 reward offered by New Zealand police during the manhunt.
Meanwhile, Xue's daughter Qian Xun - who is being cared for by her maternal grandmother in China - has still not been told her mother, An An Liu, is dead.
Melbourne's Herald Sun reported that when the distressed toddler asks her grandmother where her mother is, she has been told she will come back soon.
- NZPA
