New Mexico governor OKs extradition for suspect in Wilberger killing

SANTA FE, N.M. — Gov. Bill Richardson has signed an agreement to extradite a man to Oregon to face charges in the disappearance of a Brigham Young University student.

Joel Patrick Courtney, 41, has been charged with aggravated murder, kidnapping and rape in the disappearance of Brooke Wilberger.

A warrant soon will be served on Courtney, Richardson's office said Thursday.

Wilberger, a student at BYU in Provo, was cleaning lamp poles outside an apartment complex in Corvallis when she vanished at age 19 in May 2004.

Her body has not been found but she is presumed dead.

Benton County District Attorney John Haroldson, who intends to seek the death penalty, has said it's likely Courtney will contest the extradition order, which could mean a legal battle lasting a year.

Authorities have revealed little of the evidence tying Courtney to Wilberger.

A Benton County grand jury also indicted Courtney on charges of trying to kidnap, rape and kill two other women.

In December, he was sentenced to 18 years in prison for raping and abducting a 22-year-old University of New Mexico student in November 2004.