LOS ANGELES : Second Trial Set for Camarena Case Defendant
A Mexican national charged in the 1985 torture-murder of U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agent Enrique Camarena will stand trial a second time this fall, a federal judge said.
Ruben Zuno Arce, a brother-in-law of former Mexican President Luis Echeverria Alvarez, will be tried Oct. 20 for his alleged role in Camarena’s kidnaping and slaying, U.S. District Judge Edward Rafeedie ruled Thursday.
For the record:
12:00 a.m. Aug. 29, 1992 For the Record
Los Angeles Times Saturday August 29, 1992 Home Edition Metro Part B Page 2 Column 5 Metro Desk 1 inches; 35 words Type of Material: Correction
Camarena case--An Aug. 1 community digest item in The Times incorrectly reported that Ruben Zuno Arce owned the land where the body of U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Agent Enrique Camarena was found in 1985. In fact, Zuno did not own the land.
Zuno was convicted in 1990 of racketeering, kidnaping and conspiracy in Camarena’s slaying. Zuno owned the land where Camarena’s body was found, and prosecutors alleged that he attended meetings where Camarena’s kidnaping was planned. Rafeedie overturned the verdict, saying Zuno did not receive a fair trial because of misrepresentations by federal prosecutors. The judge ordered a new trial.
Rafeedie also tentatively scheduled a trial Oct. 20 for a co-defendant, Dr. Humberto Alvarez Machain, so his attorneys can prepare appeals based upon his abduction from Mexico for trial in the United States.
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