Arizona republican., 1921-04-29
Faced Second Jury

Faced second Jury
 T felt that the men should have been hanged if guilty and acquitted if innocent, and for that reason filed the complaint against them in first de- gree murder
 The Mexican prisoners faced their
 second charge of murder in connec- tion with the raid, having been sem fenced in 1916, pardoned by former
 Gov. O. A Lazzarolo last November
 and since that time re- arrested on new indictments returned before the pardon had become effective. In the original lot of captives were f3 men. six of whom were hanged in
 Deming in 1916. Another was sen- fenced to hang and his sentence commuted to life imprisonment; 16 pleaded guilty to second degree mur- der and received sentences of from 70 to So years in the state peniten- tiary. One of these later escaped from prison, leaving the Is who are on trial.
 The Defendants
 The names of the s men follow: Francisco H. Soils, Ramon Bus tillos, David Rodriguez. Rafael Bus tamente, Santos Torres, Pedro Bor-
 ciago. Juan Torres. Tomas Camarena- Jose de la Luz Marquez, Juan AIunoz Jose Tena, Rafael Rodriguez, Mariana Jiminez. Jose Rodriguez, Pedro Lopez
 and Lorenzo Gutierrez.
 The release of these men under former Governor Larrazolo's pardon
 was enjoined late last year by the American legion. Simultaneously \ with the decision by the state su- preIne court declaring the pardon legal, the men were re-arrested in the state penitentiary on warrants issaed on new indictments.
 Vincente Visconte, Mexican consul at Columbus, who has been in con- stant attendance at the sessions of | the trial, expressed elation tonight al the verdict. 'T knew the jury would do justice to my fellow citizens" he
 stated. "The trial was conducted in
 the fairest manner possible and the result will do more than anything
 that has happened in the past decade to establish a clearer understanding
 between the United States and Mex ico. My government was prepared tc | accept the verdict of the jury at Dem ing regardless of what it might have been. I am happy that the jury oi Americans found that the prisoners
 were not guilty"
 < Expresses Gratitude | Dramatic incidents followed the announcement of the verdict in the little court room. Spectators rushed 1 from their seats to shake the hands | of the Mexican peons. eXonerated or
 charges of murder. The double row of prisoners were visibly affected
 David Rodriguez broke down.
 Francisco Soils. thanked the jurors 1 in broken English. "Senores, we are most grateful Soils exclaimed Or I behalf of my comrades I wish to eX- press our gratitude. You have beer ! most gracious to us and we were 1 constantly sustained during the tria
 by our faith in your justice and youl | desire to be fair to us poor men, We | will be most happy to again return tc | our families and enjoy freedom ir ! our country. We assure you We were l innocent. We hope to live in tht future in friendship and gratitude tc America"
 As soon as possible. District Attor-
 ney Fielder said. the 16 prisoners will | be conducted by Luna county officer: I to some point on the border where j they will be turned over to the Mex l ican authorities and given their free | dom, for the first time in five years | From members of the jury it was
 learned that the verdict was reached | shortly after they had retired from 1 the court room. They waited 20 min utes. they said, after the ballots had | been taken before reporting.
 State Asked Death Penalty i Closing arguments by counsel con | sumed less than two hours District | Attorney Forrest Fielder asked 10. 1 the death penalty. He reviewed the evidence which he said showed the Villistss. including the defendants had raided Columbus. killed citizens