The herald., 1895-08-26
ITEMS FROM MEXICO CITY
Dueling Denounced in the Verastegui-
Romero Trial
Catholics Said to BE Taking War Upon the
Public School System Of the
Southern Republic

MEXICO CITY, August 25.-The entir
day yesterday was devoted to the trial of
the Verastegui- Romero duel case. The
public prosecutor made a great speech,
which was Immediately circulated in
printed form all over the city. He de-
nounced duelling as a crime and demand-
ed the punishment OF everybody con-
cerned. and declared his conviction that
Romero and his seconds laid deliberate
trap for Verastegui. He contended that
General Rocha should be punished for
having furnished pistols. The whole
thing was premeditated murder of Ver-
astegui. The grave was practically dug
before he went to the Spanish cemetery
to exchange shots with Romero.
The civil prosecuting attorney followed
in a speech strongly denouncing Romero,
causing an uproar in the court
LAWYERS for the defense followed Ro-
meros attorney defending his rule to fight
as military man who has received in
sulting language. The case has gone to
the jury.
Monitor Republica calls upon the Lib
eral party to be on the alert. as the Cath
olic clergy. mboldened by their growing
power and the liberation extended to
them, are determined to make war upon
the public school system. Priests i'll the
state of Tobasco have issued circular
letter denouncing the public schools as
schools of Satan which will carry to bell
children educated in them, while schools
established by the clergy are open gates
of salvation. The authorities in Tobasco
have ordered the arrest and imprison-
ment of the priests taking part in this
movement against the public schools.
CITY OF MEXICO, Aug. 24.-Via La
redo. Judge De La Hoz occupied two
hours in delivering mis- charge to the jury
in the Verasteeui-Romero duelling case,
finishing at | O. clock this morning. The
jury then retired, bringing in verdict
at 3 clock. The hail of the court was
crowded and swarm of reporters were
present. The jury brought IN a verdict
OF guilty in che case of Colonel Romero
and by majority absolved General
Rocha and the four seconds, Prida, Cas-
tillo, Barreto and Carrello. The public
prosecutors asked for penalty OF five
| years for Romero. The Judge then SEN
fenced Romero to three years and four
months at hard labor in the municipal
| prison with liberty to choose the trade
he preferred and he was also sentenced to
| pay fine of $500 or serve one hundred
| days additional. Furthermore. he was
| admonished that if he ever committed a
| similar offense, the severest penalty of
! the criminal code would be applied to
| him. The Judge then sentenced him to
pay the family of Nerastegui for eighteen
years the sum of $4,000 yearly and also
to pay the cost OF Verastegui's funeral
and all costs IN the case. The severity of
the sentence was considered almost ex-
treme but public opinion jutisfes 1t. DR..
| Precadio was absolved by the jury.
Judge De La Ho: then gave notice that
the verdict absolving all prisoners except
! ing Romero was, in his option, contrary
to the law and the evidence and he.
therefore, would send tho case to the up
per court for its decision. which, if un-
| favorable to the prisoners, will result in
severe sentence for all these. The SEN
tence OF Romero establishes a precedent
that men killing antagonists in duels will
have TO maintain the family Of their VIC
tim or remain in prison perpetually.