Oliver Karafa extradition hearing continues in Budapest Tuesday

Alleged murderer Oliver Karafa is returning court in Budapest, Hungary for his extradition hearing on Tuesday.

The Metropolitan Court in Budapest said the extradition hearing would continue Sept. 28 at 2 p.m., Budapest time, which is six hours ahead of local time in Hamilton.

Karafa's extradition hearing had been adjourned in July as the courts sought more information from Canadian authorities.

Karafa, 29, and his 25-year-old girlfriend Yun (Lucy) Lu Li are charged with first-degree murder and attempted murder in connection with a double shooting on Feb. 28 in an industrial area in Stoney Creek.

Tyler Pratt, a 39-year-old entrepreneur from British Columbia who was looking to set up business in Ontario, was killed. His 26-year-old girlfriend was shot but survived. She was pregnant and the shooting led to the loss of the pregnancy.

The court in Hungary has said the four allegedly met for a business meeting and identified Karafa as the alleged shooter.

After the shooting Li and Karafa fled the country, flying to Czech Republic. They were on the run from police in Eastern Europe for three months until they were captured in Budapest June 12.

Li waived extradition and returned to Canada, where she remains in custody awaiting trial.

Nicole O'Reilly is a Hamilton-based reporter covering crime and justice for The Spectator. Reach her via email: noreilly@thespec.com