900-Year Prison Terms Recommended for Two Convicted in Camarena Case
Federal prosecutors have recommended 900-year prison terms each for two men convicted in connection with the torture-murder in Mexico of a U. S. drug agent.
The two men, Raul Lopez-Alvarez, 29, and Rene Verdugo-Urquidez, 36, were convicted last month of criminal counts in connection with the February, 1985, deaths of agent Enrique Camarena and his pilot, Alfredo Zavala-Avelar.
For the record:
12:00 a.m. Oct. 21, 1988 For the Record
Los Angeles Times Friday October 21, 1988 Home Edition Part 1 Page 2 Column 6 Metro Desk 2 inches; 49 words Type of Material: Correction
An article in Thursday’s editions incorrectly stated the length of sentences recommended for two men convicted in the murder of undercover U.S. drug agent Enrique Camerena. The article, based on wire service accounts, should have stated that prosecutors called for 360 years for Rene Martin Verdugo-Urquidez and 370 years for Raul Lopez-Alvarez.
In a sentencing memorandum filed Wednesday, the prosecutors said the long terms would assure that the men would be ineligible for parole for 60 years. If given straight life terms, the memo noted, they would be eligible for parole in 10 years.
“The crimes for which they were convicted are so heinous that if capital punishment were available under federal law, the government would seek the death penalty,” U. S. Atty. Robert C. Bonner wrote. Sentencing for Lopez is set for Monday and Verdugo on Wednesday.
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