Harris-Moore detained for trial

Colton Harris-Moore touched down in Seattle last Wednesday, a much-anticipated homecoming of sorts.

Thursday afternoon he appeared in federal court in Seattle, where the U.S. Attorney’s Office brought a motion to hold Mr. Harris-Moore in federal custody without bail.

The motion outlined that Harris-Moore is the “primary suspect” in “at least 80 investigations,” and recounted “Mr. Harris-Moore has been a fugitive since 2008, when he escaped from juvenile custody. During that time, he is suspected of committing dozens of thefts and residential and commercial burglaries, stealing cash, food, electronics, firearms, cars, boats, and as many as five aircraft.”

The document formally linked Harris-Moore to the theft of a Cirrus aircraft from Anacortes, in February. According to the motion, his fingerprints were found on the plane, which was discovered on Orcas Island. A manhunt ensued, but police agencies were unsuccessful in their attempt to capture the suspect.

“In sum, he has a strong incentive to flee, a history of fleeing from justice, and the ability to do so if released… For all the foregoing reasons, Mr. Harris-Moore is a clear flight risk and danger to the community. He should be detained pending trial.”

Harris-Moore and his lawyer, John Henry Browne, didn’t fight it.

“He waived his right to a preliminary hearing, waived a detention hearing,” said Emily Langlie, spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Seattle.

“The next step is Grand Jury indictment, if they indict,” She added. “Until then, he’ll remain at the federal detention center in Sea-Tac.”

In a press conference Thursday, Browne said Harris Moore was OK with these arrangements.

He said Harris-Moore wants people to know “it was not fun. He was scared to death most the time.”

Now that Harris-Moore has been detained, Browne said, “My next step is to meet with prosecutors, meet with Colton a lot. See if there’s any way we can consolidate these things, which, I don’t know how easy that’s gonna be.”

Langlie said there are no answers yet.

“As for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, they must be sure each accusation they bring can be proven beyond reasonable doubt,” she said.

Langlie said prosecutors will be compiling evidence and working with local jurisdictions, but in regards to consolidating charges, each jurisdiction will have to make the call as to what’s right for them. Some may want to consolidate, while others may feel justice is best served by bringing their own case against Harris Moore.

Meanwhile, despite Harris-Moore’s notoriety and swirling talk of book deals and movie contracts, Browne said the young man is not interested in selling his story, or even in telling it.

“He felt if he told it or gave it away, it would no longer be his story,” Browne told “Good Morning America” on Sunday. “Almost like, if you look in a mirror, your soul is stolen, or something. It was really interesting.”

Staff Reporter Jeremiah O’Hagan: 629-8066 ext. 125 or ohagan@scnews. com.