Governor signs extradition orders in UI slaying

MOSCOW, Idaho – Washington Gov. Gary Locke signed extradition warrants for two men accused in the shooting murder of University of Idaho football player Eric McMillan.

The extradition warrants allege Thomas Riggins of Kent, Wash., asked his uncles, Matthew Wells II and James Wells of Seattle, to drive to Idaho and kill McMillan.

The cornerback was shot once in the chest on Sept. 19 at his off-campus apartment, and he died 11 hours later at a local hospital.

Shelby Hultman, legal affairs assistant for the governor, confirmed this week that the orders had been issued.

“The extradition warrants were sent to Whitman County where James Wells is currently being held and to the King County Sheriff’s Office where Thomas Riggins is being held,” Hultman said.

Matthew Wells II was taken to the Latah County Jail after he gave up his right to fight extradition last month.

Both Matthew Wells II and James Wells are charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

Riggins is charged with conspiracy and being a principal to the murder.

Witnesses at the scene of the shooting reported seeing two men speed away in a white BMW.

Police in Pullman began following a car fitting that description and the Wells brothers were arrested after a high-speed chase across four Washington counties.

They were charged in Whitman County for attempting to elude police officers, but those charges were dropped after the men were indicted on murder charges in Idaho.

Latah County Prosecutor William Thompson Jr. said investigators still have not found a murder weapon nor established a motive.

Though Whitman County officials had received the extradition order Wednesday morning, they were still reviewing it and had not yet transported James Wells to the Latah County Jail.