3 Who Killed U.S. Nuns Ordered Freed

A judge ordered conditional freedom for three of five national guardsmen convicted of killing four U.S. religious workers in 1980. The release had been expected after a new law to reduce prison overcrowding took effect in April. Judge Gloria Platero said Daniel Canales Ramirez, Jose Roberto Moreno Canjura and Luis Colindres were eligible for immediate parole because, when time for good behavior is calculated, they have served two-thirds of their 30-year sentences. Two other guardsmen--Carlos Joaquin Contreras Palacios and Francisco Orlando Contreras Recinos--were refused release because of misconduct in prison. Prosecutor Karla Barquero said officials may seek to have the order overturned. Roman Catholic nuns Dorothy Kazel, Ita Ford, Maura Clark and lay worker Jean Donovan were raped and shot to death during the nation’s civil war.