Guatemala bishop's killer ran alleged jail empire

[Judi Lynn]

3. Guatemala murder jail terms cut

Guatemala murder jail terms cut
Wednesday, March 23rd 2005


BBC News

Guatemala's appeals court has reduced by 10 years the sentences of two former army officers convicted for the 1998 murder of Catholic Bishop Juan Gerardi.

Col Byron Lima Estrada and his son, Capt Byron Lima Oliva, had been serving 30 years each for their involvement.

But the court re-classified them as "accomplices" - a less serious crime.

The bishop was bludgeoned to death soon after presenting a report blaming the army for almost all atrocities during Guatemala's civil war in 1960-1996.

A third former officer, Sgt Obdulio Villanueva, who was also convicted for his involvement in the murder, was killed in a prison riot three years ago.

Ruling protested

The court's ruling on Tuesday came after defence lawyers successfully argued that more than one person cannot be convicted of a killing under Guatemalan law.

More:
http://www.soaw.org/site/newswire_detail.php?id=767

How on earth can any government get by with this law?