15794: (Chamberlain) Haiti-Fugitive Slain (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Greg Chamberlain <GregChamberlain@compuserve.com>

   By MICHAEL NORTON

   PORT-AU-PRINCE, Sept 23 (AP) -- The bullet-riddled body of Amiot Metayer
has been found, more than a year after he escaped from prison and allegedly
went on a rampage terrorizing government opponents.
   Metayer, 39, a longtime supporter of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide
and leader of the so-called "Cannibal Army," was found Monday night. He was
shot once through each eye and once through the heart, Daniel Jean-Charles,
the central government's representative, said Tuesday.
   A passer-by found Metayer outside St. Marc, on the west coast, and his
body was taken to his hometown of Gonaives after family members identified
him.
   "He is better off dead," said opposition leader and former Sen. Paul
Denis. "The government he worked for had no interest in having him appear
before a court of justice to answer for his crimes."
   Metayer was arrested on arson charges on May 21, 2002, in connection
with an alleged attack on a rival gang in Gonaives. He broke out of prison
in August 2002 with help from supporters.
   Authorities failed to recapture Metayer, saying they did not want to
raid his seaside shantytown stronghold of Raboteau and risk sparking a
violent confrontation. Witnesses said Metayer and the Cannibal Army spent
months burning down houses and assaulting Aristide opponents.
   In November, seven journalists went into hiding after members of the
group allegedly attacked a radio station.
   According to an Organization of American States report, Metayer had also
participated in other attacks on Aristide's opponents, including a Dec. 17
assault on the residence of politician Luc Mesadieu in Gonaives.
   Mesadieu's assistant, Ramy Daran, was doused with gasoline and burned to
death. Mesadieu said he saw Metayer giving the order to kill Daran. At
least 20 houses were torched.
   In May of 2003, a judge withdrew Metayer's arrest warrant, saying there
were no grounds for the arson case against him.
   A judge and a prosecutor who worked on the case fled to the United
States, saying they feared for their safety after refusing to comply with
what they said was government pressure to drop the charges against Metayer.