Aruba Case Probed As Murder
Two former security guards arrested in the disappearance last month of an 18-year-old honors student are being investigated for murder and kidnapping, their attorney said.
"They are accused of, first of all, murder. Conspiracy to commit murder homicide, conspiracy to commit homicide and capital kidnapping," their attorney, Chris Lejeuz, said Wednesday on CBS News' The Early Show.
His clients told Lejeuz "they've never seen Natalee Holloway, and they've never spoken to Natalee Holloway," he told co-anchor Hannah Storm.
A judge was to determine Wednesday whether authorities have enough evidence to continue to hold the two men.
"The prosecutor in this case has decided to prolong the detention of these suspects," spokeswoman Vivian van der Biezan said.
The two have not been charged in the disappearance of 18-year-old Natalee Holloway of Alabama, and authorities have not said she was a victim of foul play, allowing the possibility of accidental death.
By Aruban law, reports CBS News Correspondent Kelly Cobiella, someone is charged only when he or she is about to be tried. Prosecutors can hold suspects up to 116 days before charging them with a crime.
Meanwhile, police and the FBI kept up a search for Holloway, but a lack of any solid leads was hindering progress, according to several officers. Local officials asked the FBI to bring in dogs trained to search for people.
Investigators were scaling back their search for the 18-year-old, heading out only when they get a fresh tip. So far, they're focused on Aruba, but haven't ruled out going beyond its shores.
"The investigation will tell us when we need to go to the other islands to do the investigation," said police spokesman Edwin Commenencia.
© 2009 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report. "They are accused of, first of all, murder. Conspiracy to commit murder homicide, conspiracy to commit homicide and capital kidnapping," their attorney, Chris Lejeuz, said Wednesday on CBS News' The Early Show.
His clients told Lejeuz "they've never seen Natalee Holloway, and they've never spoken to Natalee Holloway," he told co-anchor Hannah Storm.
A judge was to determine Wednesday whether authorities have enough evidence to continue to hold the two men.
"The prosecutor in this case has decided to prolong the detention of these suspects," spokeswoman Vivian van der Biezan said.
The two have not been charged in the disappearance of 18-year-old Natalee Holloway of Alabama, and authorities have not said she was a victim of foul play, allowing the possibility of accidental death.
By Aruban law, reports CBS News Correspondent Kelly Cobiella, someone is charged only when he or she is about to be tried. Prosecutors can hold suspects up to 116 days before charging them with a crime.
Meanwhile, police and the FBI kept up a search for Holloway, but a lack of any solid leads was hindering progress, according to several officers. Local officials asked the FBI to bring in dogs trained to search for people.
Investigators were scaling back their search for the 18-year-old, heading out only when they get a fresh tip. So far, they're focused on Aruba, but haven't ruled out going beyond its shores.
"The investigation will tell us when we need to go to the other islands to do the investigation," said police spokesman Edwin Commenencia.
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