The odyssey of Ira Einhorn

Sept. 11, 1977 - Ira Einhorn's girlfriend, Helen "Holly" Maddux, is last seen alive on a date with Einhorn and another couple at a movie in Pennsauken.

March 28, 1979 - Police acting on a tip arrest Einhorn after finding Maddux's remains in a padlocked steamer trunk at their Powelton Village apartment.

Jan. 21, 1981 - Einhorn disappears on the eve of his pretrial hearing in Maddux's death, jumping $40,000 bail.

1986 - Einhorn is sighted on the campus of Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, but disappears again.

1989 - Einhorn turns up in Stockholm living with a Swedish woman, Annika Flodin, but he eludes capture.

1993 - In September, the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office tries Einhorn in absentia for the murder of Maddux. He is found guilty of first-degree murder and is sentenced to life in prison.

1994 - Flodin applies for a French driver's license that will eventually provide the link to Einhorn's whereabouts.

June 12, 1997 - Einhorn is arrested in Champagne-Mouton, France, where he, using the name Eugene Mallon, and Flodin had been living.

Sept. 2, 1997 - A French court hears arguments in the U.S. request for Einhorn's extradition.

Dec. 4, 1997 - The French judges deny extradition because Einhorn has not been guaranteed a new U.S. trial - something he would get under French law. He is freed to return to Champagne-Mouton.

January 1998 - The Pennsylvania legislature passes a law that permits a retrial of Einhorn if he is returned to the state.

Sept. 21, 1998 - Einhorn is rearrested by French police.

Sept. 29, 1998 - Einhorn is released, allowed to stay at home until his extradition hearing.

Dec. 1, 1998 - Einhorn faces Maddux's siblings at the extradition hearing. The panel says it will rule in January.

Feb. 18, 1999 - The French judges grant extradition on the condition that Einhorn gets a new trial if he requests one. He remains free pending his expected appeal of the ruling.

July 28, 1999 - A jury in a civil suit orders Einhorn to pay $907 million in wrongful-death damages to the Maddux family.

July 21, 2000 - French Premier Lionel Jospin signs extradition papers for Einhorn's return.

Dec. 4, 2000 - Einhorn files his last possible appeal in France, to the country's highest legal administrative body, the Council of State.

July 12, 2001 - The Council of State rejects the appeal, clearing the way for extradition. Einhorn is hospitalized after trying to slit his throat. His lawyers appeal to the European Court of Human Rights, and the French government agrees to delay action for a week.
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