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Bail For 1993 Murder Suspect Set

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Jun 12, 2009 7:51 pm US/Central

Bail For 1993 Murder Suspect Set

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) ― A judge has set bail at $100,000 cash for a man who seemed confused at a hearing over whether he would fight a return to Minnesota to face a murder charge.

Clarence Burcham of Center is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Sharon Stafford, 26, whose body was found in her Moorhead, Minn., mobile home in November 1993. Authorities said she had been beaten and raped.

Burcham, 44, appeared by video at a hearing Friday before Judge Robert Wefald.

Oliver County State's Attorney Mike Liffrig said Burcham first told Wefald he would waive extradition to Minnesota, then said he would not waive it, so Wefald set bail.

"It sounded to me like he was confused," Liffrig said.

Minnesota officials now must notify the governor's office that they are seeking to extradite Burcham, Liffrig said. Another hearing may be held on the extradition, he said.

Liffrig said Burcham may hire his own lawyer or he may have one appointed if he goes to Minnesota.

"Since he's not charged with a crime here, there is no reason the state of North Dakota has to provide an attorney to him at taxpayer expense," Liffrig said.

Clay County prosecutor Brian Melton said earlier that Burcham has been a suspect since he reported finding Stafford's body at her mobile home on Nov. 2, 1993, and had given different accounts of what happened that night.

Burcham was arrested after an interview with police last week. Melton said Burcham strangled Stafford with a cord after he became angry when she called him retarded.

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Stafford, 26, was found dead on Nov. 2, 1993.

(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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