Posted on 07/14/2002 2:01:52 PM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
CARACAS, Venezuela - A Venezuelan judge has dismissed homicide charges against three men accused of shooting from a bridge at an opposition march in April that provoked a brief coup against President Hugo Chavez.
Judge Norma Sandoval ruled that videotape allegedly showing the men shooting at protesters was inadmissible as evidence, Maikel Moreno, a lawyer for one of the defendant, Richard Penalver, said Friday.
In her ruling issued late Thursday, Sandoval ordered Penalver, who is a Caracas city councilman, Rafael Cabrices and Henry Atencio released from custody. The three are members of President Hugo Chavez's Fifth Republic Movement party.
The Attorney General's Office had argued that a television crew filmed the men firing pistols from a bridge in downtown Caracas during the April 11 opposition march.
Eighteen people were killed during the march. The National Assembly has yet to create an independent "truth commission" to determine responsibility for the slayings.
Juan Carlos Sosa, an attorney representing families of the April 11 victims, said he will appeal the decision and, if necessary, take the case to human rights organizations abroad. Sosa claimed that Chavez's leftist government influenced the judge's decision.
Pro-Chavez lawmaker Rafael Jimenez denied the claim, saying "it's an administrative decision. Another ruling, different from this one, could come."
Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel refused comment on the decision, which was released shortly after a massive opposition march in Caracas to demand Chavez's ouster.
"After a day for celebrating the April 11 heroes, the government was waiting on the sidelines with this decision," said Mohamed Merhi, father of one of those slain April 11. "Those who don't feel hurt by this decision have given in to hate."
This sounds like it is right out of a Monty Python skit...
Lawyer: "Your honor, we demand that this videotape of the accused shooting at the protesters be deemed inadmissible as evidence."
Judge: "On what grounds do you claim that it is inadmissible?"
Lawyer: "Because if it were shown to the jury, it would tend to incriminate the defendants".
Judge: "OK"...
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