Story By: Ana Lacasa, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Central European News
Relatives of the LeBaron family – the Mexican-American Mormon clan massacred en-route to a wedding – have called for two of the arrested suspects saying they are scapegoats and have been framed.
Relatives and neighbours of the LeBaron family have protested in the streets and blocked the Casa Grandes street in Janos, in the northern Mexican state of Chihuahua to ask for the release of two suspects in the murder of three women and six children from the family on 4th November.
In November gunmen shot at a three-car convoy travelling to a wedding which was carrying residents of the La Mora community which is predominantly composed of American-Mexican Mormons.
Brothers Hector Mario, alias El Mayo, and Luis Manuel were arrested for their alleged links with the attack, which is believed to have been carried out by a drug cartel.
The protesters have called for their release as they believe the brothers are being used as scapegoats and shouted “if the LeBarons want justice, so do we. Do not use innocent people”.
The protesters said they would travel to the capital Mexico City to call for justice.
The brothers were arrested on Sunday morning in Janos when army soldiers reportedly broke into their house without a judicial order.
The suspects’ brother-in-law, who has not been named, told reporters that soldiers had allegedly thrown a package containing crystal meth at the brothers moments before their arrest saying “this is yours”.
According to authorities, the information about the location of the brothers came from a man who was arrested and accused of participating in the attack.
The two brothers were also identified as alleged leaders of the criminal gang of La Linea, which works on the border between the states of Chihuahua and Sonora.
The nine victims all held US-Mexican citizenship and were named as Titus Miller, 8-month-old twin, Tiana Miller, 8-month-old twin, Rogan Langford, two, Krystal Miller, 10, Trevor Langford, 11, Howard Miller, 12, Christina Marie Langford Johnson, 29, Rhonita Miller, 30, Dawna Langford, 43.
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