DATE=5/6/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-231819
TITLE=GUATEMALA/BISHOP (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=MICHAEL DRUDGE
DATELINE=SAN JOSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: A GUATEMALAN JUDGE HAS ORDERED A SUSPECT TO BE HELD IN
PRISON PENDING FURTHER INVESTIGATION INTO THE RECENT KILLING OF A
ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOP. CORRESPONDENT MICHAEL DRUDGE HAS MORE FROM
THE V-O-A CENTRAL AMERICA BUREAU.
TEXT: A 24-YEAR-OLD GUATEMALAN MAN HAS BEEN ORDERED TO REMAIN IN
JAIL WHILE AN INVESTIGATION PROCEEDS INTO HIS ALLEGED ROLE IN THE
APRIL 26TH KILLING OF BISHOP JUAN GERARDI.
JUDGE JORGE FIGUEROA ISSUED THE ORDER AFTER THE SUSPECT CARLOS
ENRIQUE VIELMAN, PLEADED INNOCENT AT HIS ARRAIGNMENT. JUDGE
FIGUEROA SAYS PROSECUTORS HAVE PRESENTED SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE TO
KEEP MR. VIELMAN IN DETENTION.
TWO WITNESSES HAVE IDENTIFIED MR. VIELMAN FROM POLICE PHOTOS AND
HE WAS ARRESTED LAST WEEK. BUT DOUBTS ARE BEGINNING TO ARISE
ABOUT HIS PHYSICAL ABILITY TO COMMIT THE CRIME.
WITNESSES SAY THE KILLER WAS ABOUT ONE METER, 75 CENTIMETERS
TALL, WHILE MR. VIELMAN IS SHORTER, STANDING JUST OVER ONE METER
AND A HALF. BISHOP GERARDI WAS NEARLY TWO METERS TALL. POLICE
SAY THE BISHOP WAS KILLED BY REPEATED BLOWS TO THE HEAD WITH A
JAGGED PIECE OF CONCRETE.
MR. VIELMAN HAS TOLD GUATEMALAN REPORTERS HE IS AN ALCOHOLIC AND
WAS OUT DRINKING ON THE NIGHT OF THE KILLING. MR. VIELMAN'S
POLICE FILE INCLUDES PREVIOUS ARRESTS FOR RAPE, ASSAULT,
DRUNKENNESS AND INDECENCY. HE HAS NO RECORD OF MILITARY SERVICE.
POLICE HAVE NOT OFFERED A MOTIVE FOR THE BISHOP'S KILLING. HIS
SUPPORTERS SUSPECT THERE ARE POLITICAL MOTIVES BECAUSE BISHOP
GERARDI HAD JUST RELEASED A HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT ON GUATEMALA'S
36-YEAR CIVIL WAR DETAILING ALLEGED MILITARY ATROCITIES AGAINST
INDIAN COMMUNITIES. (SIGNED).
NEB/MWD/ENE/KL
06-May-98 5:36 PM EDT (2136 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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