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Peru: Two men imprisoned after killing policewoman during EU-LAC summit

Living in Peru
Israel J. Ruiz


Prosecutors in Peru are pressing charges against the two men who were involved in the death of a police escort as she was riding with the Bolivian motorcade during the 5th EU-LAC summit.

59-year-old Lisandro Díaz Vigo and 38-year-old Edisón Tejada Bravo, the two men being held responsible for the policewoman's death, are being charged with hit-and-run as well as involuntary manslaughter.

After hitting the 22-year-old police officer, the two men attempted to flee the scene of the accident.

They were immediately chased and captured by police. A judge ordered on Monday that the two men be imprisoned.

Criminal defense attorney Mario Amoretti Pachas has affirmed that it is extreme to incarcerate the two individuals while the case is being heard.

"Some judges incarcerate those they shouldn't and free those that should be imprisoned," said Amoretti, explaining that the maximum sentence for involuntary manslaughter was 2 years; therefore, detaining the suspects at this stage was not necessary.

"The policewoman hit a station wagon from behind and the vehicle hit her after she fell on the pavement. That wasn't the drivers' fault," assured the attorney.

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# CapitanDan says :
21 May, 2008 [ 15:08 ]

Very sad indeed the death of the Police officer, but Mr. Amoretti sounds like he is a virgin to the legal system.The Bond or incarceration is at the Judges discretion. As to the innocents of his clients, I am No Lawyer, but did Mr. Amoretti ever hear of Following to closely , Rendering assistance , or Hit and Run.  Maybe the Judge took into consideration that they ran once.As for only 2 years in Jail. I would rather be set adrift with no water off a shark infested island ,than spend 2 years in a Peruvian Jail. Maybe Mr. Amoretti should spend a few days in a Peruvian prison and then comment on it. Chau

# Anonymous José says :
21 May, 2008 [ 16:36 ]

Well said Capitan.

# hegira says :
22 May, 2008 [ 10:16 ]

If they attempted to flee the scene of the accident, what guarantees that these guys would show up to court? I´m glad they are being held in jail - at least there are two fewer nutty drivers on the streets of Lima.

# Ysabel says :
22 May, 2008 [ 11:47 ]

Finally justice system is working in Peru.

# Splaktar says :
31 May, 2008 [ 10:06 ]

Sounds a bit more complicated that can be demostrated in this article.  It would indeed suck to be driving along and have a police officer fly in front of your car with no way to avoid hitting her.  Obviously running from police is a bad idea, but with people's doubts about the corrupt judicial system in Peru, it's not a bad idea. 

Even if you are innocent, they are likely to put you in jail for years in the worst conditions you can survive. 
Leaving your life in the hands of the Peruvian judicial system is a VERY scary thing and people have run away from things much less scary.