Alleged fugitive who faces murder charges fights extradition

A man appearing at Brawley Court on Wednesday morning tried to convince the judge that he was not 30-year-old Andre Jeru Bernard Bigby accused of 2 nd degree murder in another state.

Imperial County Deputy District Attorney Michael Domenzain said, “There were photographs in there that depicted the fugitive and the physical description, as well as the complaint, was given. Everything matched him. So, the court made a finding that he was in fact the person being sought from the State of Virginia.”

Calipatria resident Ryan Joseph Perez videotaped Bigby at an event in slab city where the fugitive was recently arrested. He did not know Bigby was wanted by authorities.

“At the time, I didn’t think I was in any sort of danger, because, for a man who was wanted for murder and was a fugitive on the run, he was having a really good time,” Perez said.

All the same, Perez said he kept his distance.

“He did seem like an intimidating individual because of how tall he was and how muscular he was. I didn’t want to mess with somebody that was obviously probably on a trip of some kind,” Perez said.

Bigby seemed to be under the influence of some controlled substance throughout the night.

“He appeared to me that he was high on maybe acid or any type of hallucinogenic because he was just out of it,” Perez said.

Bigby’s attorney tried other arguments during court proceedings to fight extradition, such as claiming documents sent by officials in Virginia were not properly submitted, but his efforts failed.

“He will be held in Imperial County jail until the State of Virginia comes to take him and extradites him to the State of Virginia to face those charges,” Domenzain said.

Perez said he feels better knowing Bigby won’t be around the area much longer.

“What really shocked me is that it happened to me and it can happen to anybody else. You can be in the presence of a murderer without ever you even knowing it,” Perez said.