Nam was driven from the Philadelphia International Airport to police headquarters Tuesday. He stands charged with fatally shooting 77-year-old Anthony Schroeder during a 1996 robbery at the victim's home in Olney.
The victim, a retired Acme worker & former soldier was watching television with his door open on a hot summer night when he reportedly heard the intruders and grabbed his .22 revolver.
"When Nam saw that Schroeder came to the door with a handgun, before he said word one, he shot through the screen, hitting Mr. Schroeder in the chest, leaving him to fall and die on his living room floor," said District Attorney Lynne Abraham.
Nam's father posted $100,000, 10% of $1million bail. Just before the trial, authorities say Nam shed a monitoring bracelet, jumped bail and fled to his parents' native country of South Korea.
Authorities arrested Nam soon after he fled to South Korea, but had to release him because the U.S. & South Korea didn't have an extradition treaty.
Abraham pushed elected officials to create one. Investigators then found Nam, a married father, teaching English under an alias. Nam was identified through his tattoos, and fingerprints on a beer bottle.
Schroeder's relatives are glad Nam must now face justice.
"It's been a long time coming," said nephew John Schroeder. "I thought he'd gotten away with this crime.
"I was absolutely thrilled when I got word that they were going to go get him," said Ruth Albrecht, Schroeder's niece."
Nam is being charged with murder. The extradition treaty requires U.S. agree not to impose death penalty. Investigators say Nam's father moved back to South Korea. If he returns, he'll be charged with aiding a fugitive, and will have to pay the $900-thousand owed on the million dollar bail.
Three teens have served their time after pleading guilty to committing the crime with Nam. They agreed to testify against him.
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