NEWS & VIEWS
from a CATHOLIC perspective

      GUATEMALA CITY (CWNews.com) - The prime suspect in the murder of an auxiliary bishop on April 26 was formally charged on Tuesday by the presiding judge in the investigation.

      Judge Jorge Figueroa opened formal court proceedings against Carlos Enrique Vielman after the suspect made his first court appearance, pleading innocent to the murder of Bishop Juan Gerardi. The bishop was found in a pool of blood in the garage of his Guatemala City home, his head crushed by a wedge of cement. Vielman was arrested four days later. Vielman was portrayed by his attorney who is a chronic alcoholic who does not even fully understand the charges against him.

      Prosecutors said Vielman was identified by two eyewitnesses and forensic evidence. Human rights leaders have claimed that Bishop Gerardi was murdered in retaliation for releasing a report two days before his death on atrocities committed by the army and rebel forces during the 36-year-long civil war that ended in 1996.