15261: (Chamberlain) Journalist's Killing (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Greg Chamberlain <GregChamberlain@compuserve.com>

   By MICHAEL NORTON

   PORT-AU-PRINCE, March 24 (AP) -- Six men have been indicted in the death
of Haiti's most prominent journalist, a move that cleared four supporters
of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, sources said Monday.
   Jean Dominique, 69, was shot seven times on April 3, 2000, minutes
before he was to give his newscast on Radio Haiti Inter, the station he
owned.
   An investigating judge sent a 33-page indictment in the killing to
prosecutors Friday, said lawyer Samuel Madistin, a former senator who
obtained a copy but is not involved in the case.
   Press freedom groups claimed that the indictment does not name the
mastermind of the crime.
   The indictment clears four supporters of President Jean-Bertrand
Aristide, including Sen. Dany Toussaint, a former police chief who was a
prime suspect.
   "Only the executioners were indicted. We want to know who ordered and
paid for the crime," said Guy Delva, president of the Association of
Haitian Journalists.
   The indicted have been under arrest for more than two years. If
convicted, they could face life imprisonment.
   The investigation was plagued by setbacks, threats and violence. The
first two investigating judges resigned.
   The indictment lists no motive, and the judge admits the investigation
is not finished, said Madistin, who opposes Aristide.
   The trial should begin by May, prosecutor Josue Pierre-Louis told
independent Radio Vision 2000. Aristide also had urged the indictment's
release, saying "democracy needs justice."
   The indictment comes three months after a Christmas Day shooting attack
on the home of Dominique's widow, journalist Michele Montas, which killed a
security guard.