Colosio’s Killer Acted Alone, Report Finds

The chief investigator in the assassination of Mexican presidential candidate Luis Donaldo Colosio said Tuesday the evidence shows that the gunman planned the killing alone and there was no conspiracy.

Deputy Atty. Gen. Miguel Montes Garcia said in a statement that the confessed gunman in custody, Mario Aburto Martinez, was “the material and intellectual author of the homicide.” He said Aburto had a political motivation.

“It is possible to offer substantial conclusions, given that it has been demonstrated that Mario Aburto is the material and intellectual author of the homicide . . . and that, in carrying out the homicide, he acted alone,” the statement said.

The finding marks a full retreat from the conspiracy theory initially put forward by the attorney general’s office.

In addition to Aburto, three men who attended the March 23 rally in Tijuana where Colosio was gunned down remain in custody. They were held in connection with the murder but are expected to be released shortly.

Montes’ office previously said that new witness testimony and expert analyses of the videotapes of the shooting had weakened the case for a conspiracy, but human rights activists and others were skeptical of that claim.

Montes’ office said Aburto’s writings showed a political motivation for the crime.

In a confession made immediately after the shooting, Aburto insinuated that he had co-conspirators.

According to a Mexican official, the accused assassin told interrogators, “If you knew who else was involved, you’d be surprised.”

But Aburto said he was not helped by the three men now being held.