Inquiry Into Goatherd’s Slaying Ends
The Justice Department has closed its civil rights investigation into the death of a Redford, Texas, teenager shot by a Marine during a Southwest border drug patrol, a congressman said Thursday.
But Rep. Lamar S. Smith (R-Texas), who chairs the House immigration subcommittee, said he will open an inquiry of his own into the May 1997 death of 18-year-old Esequiel Hernandez Jr.
Hernandez’s family is pursuing a civil claim against the government.
Smith said Justice Department officials told him earlier this week that they had wrapped up their civil rights investigation against Marine Cpl. Clemente Banuelos and would take no further action. The decision came after a federal grand jury in Pecos investigating the shooting concluded its work, issuing no indictments.
Banuelos fired the shot that killed Hernandez as the youth was tending to his herd of goats.
“The shooting death of Esequiel Hernandez remains troubling,” said Smith, who has questioned the Border Patrol’s role.
A Justice spokeswoman declined to comment. Banuelos’ lawyer didn’t return a call.
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