An extradition hearing for James “Jimmy” Hughes has been pushed back to Friday, according to the Miami-Dade County Clerk's Office.

The 52-year-old was charged with three counts of murder in connection with a 1981 shooting of Cabazon Band of Mission Indians tribal leader Fred Alvarez, housemate Patricia Castro and friend Ralph Boger in Rancho Mirage.

The case has been referred to as the “Octopus Murder” because of the tribe's complex connections to government agencies and the lengthy list of people who have been rumored to be involved.

Hughes was arrested Sept. 26 at the Miami International Airport. His extradition hearing initially was scheduled for Oct. 28 by the Florida court.

The California Attorney General's Office is handling prosecution of the case.

Spokesman Evan Westrup confirmed that a governor's warrant recently was sent to Gov. Charlie Crist in an effort to get Hughes back to California sooner.

“Really, the ball is in the Florida governor's court to issue the warrant.

“The extradition would proceed from there,” Westrup said.

Monica Torline