US fugitive Nicholas Rossi refuses to leave prison to attend his extradition hearing

dailyrecord.co.uk:

US fugitive Nicholas Rossi refused to leave prison to attend his extradition hearing - but the case was adjourned for nearly four months despite the no-show.Ross, 35, is fighting a bid to return him to the United States to face a number of charges, including rape, and was supposed to attend in person.A week-long hearing was due to begin on Monday, but Edinburgh Sheriff Court was told Rossi “refused to get in the prison van”.His lawyer later said Rossi was suffering “psychological distress” and his mental health had been worsening in recent weeks.Sheriff Norman McFadyen granted a prosecution motion to proceed in the accused’s absence after being told Rossi shouldn’t be allowed to delay the case by “being disruptive”.But Rossi’s non-appearance proved to be irrelevant after Sheriff McFadyen then agreed to adjourn the full hearing until June 26.Rossi’s KC, Mungo Bovey, argued the defence weren’t properly prepared as their expert witnesses had not compiled their reports.Sheriff McFadyen said it was “to say the least unfortunate” that an adjournment was needed, but he was persuaded it was “in the interests of justice”.The sheriff raised the possibility that Rossi might fire his lawyers in the interim - something he has done repeatedly during the last year.Sheriff McFadyen said if Rossi were to “part company with his legal team” then the accused should be ready to proceed “represented or unrepresented”.The sheriff said it was his “firm expectation” that the June hearing go ahead.The court was earlier told expert medical, prison and legal reports were being sought by the defence.Mr Bovey said he “very much regretted” the reports weren’t ready because of the “disruption” caused.He added the delays were affecting Rossi, who was