The man accused of murdering Ashland mother Lynn Jackenheimer made his first court appearance Friday morning.
Nate Summerfield, 27, appeared before a Medina County Common Pleas Court judge for his extradition hearing. During that hearing, Summerfield waived his rights, so he will be extradited to North Carolina.
Because of Summerfield's decision, he could be sent to North Carolina in just a few days.
His family was in court, but refused to comment, ONN's affiliate WEWS reported.
Summerfield was arrested on Aug. 15 following a month long nationwide manhunt.
Jackenheimer disappeared over the July Fourth weekend while vacationing with Summerfield in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
Summerfield is accused of stabbing and strangling the mother of two to death before dumping her body 30 minutes from their beach cottage.
North Carolina chief assistant district attorney, Nancy Lamb, has been assigned to prosecute Summerfield. But a backlog of cases will likely push any trial proceedings back to 2014.
The legal process for Summerfield in North Carolina is well under way. Evidence against him will be presented to a grand jury Sept. 10 "whether he has been returned to North Carolina or not," Lamb said in a phone interview from her office in North Carolina.
At this point, Lamb can't say if they will pursue the death penalty against Summerfield, saying "it has yet to be determined."
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August 10, 2012: Report Surfaces About West Virginia Summerfield Sighting
July 14, 2012: Body Found In NC Near Where Ohio Woman Disappeared
July 10, 2012: Investigators Find Missing Ashland Mother’s Cell Phone
July 9, 2012: Mother Never Returns After Family Vacation

