Christopher Eugene RussellThe man charged in Marion County, Tenn., with the June 2012 battering death of his infant son finally waived his extradition rights this week in Whitfield County, Ga., allowing his return to Tennessee to face murder charges.
Christopher Russell, arrested on a fugitive from justice warrant on Aug. 6, was turned over to Marion County Sheriff's Office deputies early Friday morning, Whitfield County officials said. Extradition is the action of surrendering a person accused of a crime to another jurisdiction in another state or country for prosecution.
Marion County Sheriff Ronnie "Bo" Burnett said Friday that Whitfield officials notified him Thursday that Russell had signed a waiver of his extradition rights. Russell initially refused to sign an extradition waiver in a hearing in Dalton on Aug. 8.
Russell, 25, is charged in Marion County with first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse stemming from the death of his 3-month-old son, Colin Eugene Russell.
"It's been a long time coming," the sheriff said. "The detective on this case, Mary Beth Raulston, stayed active on this case and has put a lot of time in.
"We're glad to get to this point," Burnett said.
District Attorney Mike Taylor said he was happy to get the case back in prosecutors' hands in Tennessee.
Russell remained the only "person of interest" throughout the investigation that began after medical officials told authorities the injuries the baby suffered were "suspicious." On June 17, 2012, the Sequatchie, Tenn., infant stopped breathing and was taken to Grandview Medical Center in Jasper before being transferred to Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville.
Colin died after the family decided to discontinue life support on June 23, 2012.
According to a 12-page autopsy report, pathologist Dr. Bridget B. Eutenier noted contusions on the child's head, injuries that included blood clotting in several areas of his brain and "extensive" hemorrhaging in the optic nerves of both eyes.
Colin had at least 15 fractures of his ribs, a fractured right clavicle and a ligament injury on his spine that appeared to have been healing when he died, the report states.
Colin died of "injuries consistent with repeated nonaccidental trauma and a diagnosis of battered child syndrome," the report states.
Russell will have some court appearances coming up for his arraignment on the charges, his bond and attorney status.
Taylor said Russell's first court date is Dec. 12.
Contact staff writer Ben Benton at bbenton@timesfreepress.com or twitter.com/BenBenton or www.facebook.com/ben.benton1 or 423-757-6569.