Long fights extradition
By Elliott Robinson
Aug 20, 2010, 14:22
The distance between Hopewell and Las Vegas in roughly 2,400 miles. It was an old west desert city full of glitz and glamour even in 1964 when Hopewell turned just 48. Hopewell of 1964 was without a homicide until there were only three days left in the year. On Dec. 28, 1964, Naomi Fulcher Long was found strangled to death with no viable leads into who did it.
It was Las Vegas, a city with nicknames including the Capital of Second Chances, where her estranged husband, Donald James Long, moved into a house on the 5000 block of Your Avenue in 1998. If found guilty of Naomi Fulcher Long's slaying, Long's luck began to run out in the casino city Aug. 10 when information presented to a Hopewell Grand Jury resulted in an indictment for first degree murder. His second chance in the Capital of Second Chances ended Aug. 13.
Almost 46 years had passed since Hopewell Police arrived at Apartment 27 of the City Point Inn apartment building. Donald Long, 77, according to wire reports, lived in Las Vegas for 25 years and retired from the U.S. Postal Service. He was leaving a barber shop about less than two miles from his home when the cold case returned with him as the suspect. The United States Marshal's Fugitive Task Force, the Las Vegas Police Department and Hopewell detectives arrested him as he walked down the street.
A blaring radio at the apartment building at the corner of Poythress Street and Broadway led to the discover of 30-year-old Naomi Fulcher Long's body in 1964. She had moved in exactly two weeks prior. Police investigating the scene noted that, beyond a disturbed jewelry box, the room was neat. Several leads were followed by future Police Chief W. Ronnie Clarke and Capt. W.W. Hutzle but the trail grew cold.
"We worked some long hours on it," Clarke said at a press conference Monday.
Clarke, who retired from the Hopewell Police Department 13 years ago, has been asked to aid in the new investigation. He said at the press conference that, at the time, Donald Long was a person of interest.
"We had several suspects and he was one of them," Clarke said.
It was not until new witness information came forward that police were able to charge Donald Long, said Police Chief Steve Martin.
Police also credited joining the U.S. Marshals Capital Area Fugitive Task Force for its help in the speedy apprehension of David Long.
"It paid off in short order," said U.S. Marshal John Hackman.
For the Fulcher family, that payoff was a day they knew would come.
"There was always hope," said Butch Fulcher, one of Naomi's brothers.
If Donald Long waives his extradition hearing, he will be in Hopewell in several days, said Commonwealth's Attorney Rick Newman. If he goes forward with the hearing, it could take 90 to 100 days, Newman said.
On Tuesday, according to wire reports, Donald Long's hearing in Clark County, Nev., District Court was postponed until yesterday after press time and he intends to fight extradition. His attorney, Michael Pariente, said long was innocent and said the indictment was based on the testimony of "a bitter ex-wife."
