Guatamala Bishop-Murder Trial Delayed After Courtroom Chaos
GUATEMALA CITY, Mar. 23, 01 (CWNews.com) - The trial of
five people accused of the 1998 murder of a Guatemalan
bishop was unexpectedly delayed again on Thursday after one
defendant failed to show up, a judge's home was attacked,
and another defendant causing a ruckus in the courtroom.
Presiding Judge Eduardo Cojulum postponed the long-awaited
trial until Friday after sending a doctor to examine
retired army Col. Disrael Lima, a defendant who failed to
turn up in court reportedly due to heart problems. Capt.
Byron Lima, another defendant and Disrael's son, yelled out
in court: "Wake up soldiers, we have a common enemy." The
younger Lima has contended that soldiers cannot receive a
fair trial in the civilian court. The other defendants
include a former presidential bodyguard, a priest, and the
bishop's housekeeper.
Bishop Juan Jose Gerardi Conedera was bludgeoned to death
at his home on April 26, 1998, two days after releasing a
report that blamed most of the 200,000 deaths in
Guatemala's 36-year civil war on the army and its
paramilitary supporters.
Judge Yasmin Barrios was attacked by unknown assailants who
threw grenades at her home on Wednesday. Five other
prosecutors and judges have recused themselves during the
three-year-long investigation after being threatened,
although Barrios has committed to continuing her
participation.
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March 25, 2001
volume 12, no. 84
News from the Universal Church
www.DailyCatholic.org
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