Government fails in case against Rivera charged with murder

N° 76

AHSRE L-E-921 F. 169-1

St. Louis Globe Democrat, St. Louis, Missouri

1° de diciembre de 1906.

Government fails in case against Rivera charged with murder

Alleged mexican revolutionist released after hearing before United States commissioner-Manzano´s trial today.

Librado Rivera, one of the Mexicans arrested in this city a few weeks ago by the United States government officers, on complaint of the Mexican government, was released yesterday after a preliminary hearing before United States Commissioner James R. Gary. Rivera was charged whit attempted murder and robbery-by the Mexican government, but this? Substantiated by the evidence, which indicated that the offense, if one had been committed, was of a political nature, for which he could not be extradited.

Rivera was accompanied to the courtkearing by his attorneys, A.L. Hirsch and Boehnen. The Mexican government was represented by Charles P. Johnson and the United States government by Col. D. P. Dyer, United States districts attorney. Mr. Johnson presented evidence to show that Rivera was a member of the Liberal club, in Mexico, which, he said, was formed to make an attempt to overthrow the Mexican government. This it was held would imply murder and robbery. This was the only evidence that was presented in support of the charge of attempted murder and robbery.

Rivera released.

Letters from a man who in now held a prisoner in Mexico were presented to show that
Rivera and others had urged that the Liberal club seize dynamite with which to blow up the railroads in the vicinity of Cananea. The letters, however, advise the club not injure any of the Americans living in Mexico. These letters were translated by M.E. Diebold, Mexican consul in St. Louis. It was also shown that Rivera had been living in St. Louis for some time past, therefore he could not have been guilty of murder or robbery in Mexico, Col. D.P. Dyer presented the extradition papers sent by the Mexican government, which were countersigned by Secretary of State Root. They were also translated by Senor Diebold.

On hearing the evidence, Commissioner Gray at once announced that the charge had, not been substantiated and that Rivera´s offense was of a political nature, for which he could not be held. He was released and left the courtroom in company with his lawyers and members of the Mexican colony in this city, both men and women.

Manzano hearing to-day

Rivera and Aaron Manzano, also known as Apple, were arrested in this city about, three weeks ago and secretly taken to the Iron County (Mo.) jail, where they were imprisoned to await trial. Manzano´s hearing on a charge of violating the United States Commissioner Chase Morsey.

Rivera was one of the editors of Regeneracion, the paper published in this city in the interest of the liberal party of Mexico, which was seized a few months ago, ostensibly for debts.

It is said that a Mexican arrested in New Mexico on a similar charge to that made against Rivera, has been held for extradition by United States commissioner in that territory.

Have thanksgiving dinner

After his release at the Federal building, Rivera went almost immediately to his home, at 125 Convent Street, where he met his family and other members of the colony. Thanksgiving dinner, which was not much of a success at the home of Rivera Thursday, was served last night by the family, happy in his release. Rivera spent the evening calling on Friends, accompanied by his wife. He stated that it was his intention to remain in St. Louis and find employment.

Senorita Villarreal Gonzalez was overjoyed at Rivera´s release, and sees in it more hope for the release of her brother, who is still in jail at El Paso, Tex. She said last night that she did not think she would have to go to Washington to personally plead her brother´s cause to President Roosevelt.

Woman is charged with hiding revolutionists

EL PASO, TEX., November 30.-Mrs. Maria Ponce de Gonzalez, a prominent woman of Juarez, has been arrested in Juarez, charged with harboring revolutionists. Her husband recently was arrested as a revolutionist, and she is accused of putting the police on the wrong track when they were searching the city. There are now forty alleged revolutionists in jail in Chihuahua, arrested in Juarez and other Mexican cities in the state.