NEW ORLEANS — Daniel Callihan appeared in a federal court in New Orleans Friday morning. He was charged with kidnapping and transportation with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.
We spoke with his lawyer, Kerry Cuccia, but he couldn’t give much insight on the case.
“At this point it really would be improper for me to make any type of comment about the nature of the case, the difficulty, ease, what’s going to happen,” Kerry Cuccia said. ”All I’ve seen is what I’ve seen in the media.”
Callihan’s charges in all three jurisdictions – Louisiana, Mississippi and federal, could result in the death penalty. Buy Loyola Law professor Dane Ciolino, says though it’s unclear if federal authorities will go that route.
“It’s a very difficult process,” Ciolino said. “It’s got to go through the capital crimes committee the attorney general himself has to sign off on seeking the death penalty.”
There will be a preliminary hearing at federal court on July 12.
Earlier this week, Callihan was extradited back to Louisiana. The 36-year-old is being held at the Plaquemines Parish Detention Center.
He is accused of killing Callie Brunett and then kidnapping her two young girls before allegedly killing the youngest, Erin Brunett – the latter of which he admitted to while being transported back to Rankin County Jail last week.
Callihan and his alleged accomplice, Victoria Cox, will be tried in both Mississippi and Louisiana. Callihan faces two first-degree murder charges in Louisiana and capital murder charges in Mississippi in relation to the death of Callie and Erin Brunett. He also faces a federal kidnapping charge.
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