"The judge didn't have the balls to free Hipolito Mora"

MEXICO, D.F. (apro).- Eduardo Quintero, the lawyer for Hipolito Mora, leader of the self defense forces (in Michoacan), stated that the judge who issued a formal order of imprisonment against his client lacked the "balls" ("guevos") to set his client free.

The judge, he elaborated, based his ruling on statements from members of the immediate family of one of the victims in whose murder Mora allegedly participated, and on the testimony of a witness that, in his opinion, was simply not credible.

In an interview with Noticias MVS, the first broadcast, Quintero pointed out that two of  the children of one of the victims -- he didn't specify which of the two victims-- and the wife said in their statements that they "believe" that Hipolito Mora was the one who ordered the murder of their family member.

The fourth witness, he specified, states that in the dark and at a distance of 500 yards -- between four and five city blocks --, she saw and heard Hipolito Mora and his people beating up the victims.

"That is literally what the witness said; she saw and listened while Hipolito Mora and his people were beating up these two persons, without lighting and in the dark, and despite that, she could hear and see what was happening five blocks away. That is completely unbelievable testimony", the lawyer argued.

"Yesterday (Thursday) I witnessed the biggest act of cowardice on the part of a judge in the exercise of his profession when he ordered a formal order of imprisonment against a man of Hipolito Mora's  moral stature.

"With that evidence (the statements), he issues a formal order of imprisonment. It was undoubtedly cowardice, not wanting to directly resolve Hipolito Mora's legal situation, washing his hands", Quintero asserted.

Not only that; the judge ruled himself incompetent to hear Hipolito Mora's case by sending him to Apatzingan.

"With respect to his incompetence, I have to say I agree that he is incompetent, but mentally incompetent. Only an incompetent could conclude that there is evidence  on which to issue a formal imprisonment order",  he lashed out.

In addition, he said, he considers the judge responsible for whatever happens to his client for transferring him to Apatzingan, considered the bastion of "Los Caballeros Templarios".

"I told the judge he was a coward, a vile person, when he issued a ruling that placed the life of Hipolito Mora in danger by transferring him to the city of Apatzingan and sending the court file to that city", states Quintero.

-- Do you think Hipolito's life is in danger?-- asked the journalist, Carmen Aristegui.

-- Yes, and I said that, too, in front of him. Whatever may happen to Hipolito Mora is his responsibility, And if at some point Hipolito Mora loses his life as a result of this, it will be on his conscience.

-- Do we have before us only an act of cowardice?

-- Sure, if it was a political matter, I would say that, too, and if he was a sentencing judge, I would say it.

The lawyer went farther and suggested that he also does not believe that the judge is an honest man "because it is not possible that on a judge's salary, which is miserly here in Michoacan, he can afford to have his daughter living in Spain.

And he concluded: "Unfortunately, we did not offer anything in exchange for Hipolito Mora's freedom because we could not offer anything for the freedom of an innocent person".

Quintero pointed out that he still has not decided whether he will appeal the judge's ruling or resort to an "amparo", and that he will decide within the next few hours.

www.proceso.com.mx/?p=367692

UPDATE FROM EL DIARIO DE COAHUILA (3-20-2014)

Hipolito Defense Will File a Criminal Complaint Against Judge
Eduardo Quintero, the lawyer for the self defense forces leader, categorizes as "vile and cowardly" the ruling against his client; he states he will appeal the formal order of imprisonment.

Eduardo Quintero, defense lawyer for Hipolito Mora, announced that he will file a criminal complaint against the 4th (district) Judge on Criminal (Matters) because of the decision he rendered against his client, against whom he issued a formal order of imprisonment.

The lawyer also said he expects that Antonio Magana de la Mora, President of the Judicial Branch, will take some action in the case.

In an interview in the radio program Noticias UM, broadcast by Radio Nicolaita, the lawyer called the judge's ruling "vile and cowardly".

He added that he will undertake legal measures, such as a criminal complaint, due to the fact that (the order) endangers the life of the founder and leader of the self defense groups when (the judge) ordered the transfer of the case to Apatzingan.

Quintero said that Mora could be transferred to Apatzingan within the next few days, although he stated that they will appeal the formal order of imprisonment that was issued on Thursday.

"The judge has a meager salary, but despite that, with it, he provides for his daughter's education in Spain, which places his actions in doubt", said the lawyer.