A man wanted in the U.S. for the shooting of a Chicago policeman 35 years ago made his first appearance in a Toronto court Friday.

Joseph Pannell, who police say has lived in Canada for more than 30 years under an assumed name, was remanded until next Thursday, when he'll appear for a bail hearing.

He was arrested on Wednesday after U.S. justice department officials asked Canadian authorities to search for matches to a set of fingerprints.

Chicago police allege Pannell, 55, who worked as a researcher at the Toronto Reference Library under the name Douglas Freeman, is a former member of the Black Panthers.

Pannell was arrested in the 1969 shooting of a 21-year-old policeman, but vanished in December 1973 while free on bail.

He reportedly lived in Montreal for several years before moving to Toronto. He landed a job at the library 13 years ago and is married to a co-worker with whom he has several children.

U.S. authorities have 60 days to file a formal request for extradition, which his lawyers say they'll fight.

"Mr. Pannell is innocent of all crimes and has faith in the Canadian justice system," defence lawyer Marshall Drukarsh said.