Colosio’s Widow Won’t Take Role in Investigation

The widow of slain Mexican presidential candidate Luis Donaldo Colosio on Thursday appeared to back down from previous indications that she would take an active role in the investigation into her husband’s killing.

“It is not up to me to accuse the guilty or to pass judgment on the investigation,” Diana Laura Riojas told a hushed room of reporters. “I have confidence that our institutions will redouble their efforts and soon present us with a clear and convincing truth.”

Her statement seemed to close the door on the possibility that she would protest conclusions of the special prosecutor assigned to investigate the case when they are presented.

Earlier this month, Riojas hired a well-known criminal lawyer to represent her after special prosecutor Miguel Montes Garcia said he is leaning toward the theory that a 23-year-old factory worker acted alone when he fatally shot Colosio on March 23 after a campaign rally in a working-class Tijuana neighborhood.

Montes previously had been investigating the possibility that the alleged assassin, Mario Aburto Martinez, was part of a conspiracy.

Three other men are being held on charges that they helped Aburto murder Colosio. An appeals court this week confirmed that they should stay in jail, despite Montes’ doubts about the conspiracy theory.

In Mexican criminal courts, victims’ families have the same standing as the defense or prosecution. Riojas had been expected to exercise those rights in pressing for investigation of a third theory: that a mastermind manipulated Aburto into killing her husband.

That theory was contained in a note that she sent to Montes when she notified him she had hired attorney Juan Velazquez.

But Thursday, a tired-looking Riojas said that she had hired the lawyer to help her follow the investigation.

Riojas announced the creation of a foundation named for her late husband that will promote peace and dignity, personal improvement, development and health.