Nova Scotia man extradited from Venezuela to face murder charges

A man charged with a 2011 murderwho has been outside of Canada since the killinghas been extraditedback toNova Scotia and will appear in court on Monday.

Steven Douglas Skinner faces a second-degree murder chargein the death of Stacey Adams, a Dartmouth man who was killed on April 10, 2011.

Skinner, 44, left the country the day of the murder, eventually landing in Mexico. The murder charge was laid against him in July 2011. Law enforcement officials eventually foundand arrested Skinner on Margarita Island,Venezuela, on May 15, 2016.He's been held in custody ever sinceasCanadian officials attempted to arrange extradition.

'A long way to go'

The family of Adams said they received confirmation of the newson Saturday from the lead detective on the file.

Kendelle Blois, speaking on behalf of the family, told CBC News the family is feeling like "this is a step to another beginning."

"We still have a long way to go."

Blois said although it took a long time, no one doubted the day would come andthe family is grateful to the Venezuelagovernment for agreeing to extradite Skinner back to Nova Scotia. There were a lot of court proceedings to get to this point, she said, although the family isn't clear on all the details.

"We're just grateful it's happened," she said. "It is our hope the courts make him accountable for the charges that are brought against him."

Other charges

In addition to the second-degree murder charge, Skinner is facing several charges in connection with an incident in LowerSackvilleon July 22,2009, including aggravated assault, forcible confinement, assault with a weapon, uttering threats and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.

Skinner wasarrested in Ontario on July 25, 2009, and was returned to Nova Scotia, where he was brought into police custody and later released on conditions.