Suspect waives extradition, to be tried in old murder case

Perry March, 44, who was deported by Mexican immigrant officials Wednesday, is expected back in Nashville next week when a criminal court judge has ordered he be held without bail pending a hearing.

March has also been charged with abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence.

Nashville police had long ago identified March as a suspect when his wife, Janet Levine March, disappeared in August 1996.

The body of Janet March, who was 33 at the time of her disappearance, has never been found. She was officially declared dead in 2004.

Attorney John Herbison, who has represented March in the past, said he’s likely to be retained by March next week.

“He’s eager to get back to Nashville,” said Herbison, who has spoken to March and said he was caught by surprise by the charges. “He’s eager to have his case submitted to a jury eventually. He’s certainly distressed as anyone in this situation would be.”

Nashville police, FBI agents in Nashville and Mexico and officials with the U.S. Attorney’s Office collaborated in the murder investigation and arrest of March Wednesday. The officials released few details about the investigation, except to say March was indicted in December.

March had never officially been charged in his wife’s disappearance, and was living in Ajijic, Mexico, with his two children and a new wife. Law enforcement officials said March was arrested after deportation from Mexico.