Pubdate: Tue, 21 Sept 1999
Source: Houston Chronicle (TX)
Copyright: 1999 Houston Chronicle
Contact:  http://www.chron.com/
Forum: http://www.chron.com/content/hcitalk/index.html
Page: 17A
Author: Jo Ann Zuiga

CHARGES IN OREGON CASE REGARDED AS INSUFFICIENT

Protesters Call For Murder Indictments

The indictment of two of the former Houston officers involved in the
shooting death of Pedro Oregon Navarro failed to satisfy many local
Hispanic activists.

About a dozen protesters gathered in front of the U.S. courthouse in
downtown Houston chanting "Justicia" and carrying signs saying, "Stop
police brutality" and "We will not forget Pedro Oregon."

"We are absolutely not satisfied. The police who murdered Pedro Oregon
did not get indicted, only those who organized it," said Travis
Morales, spokesman for La Resistencia.

"The problem is that they murdered Oregon, and we want indictments for
murder."

Justice for Pedro Oregon Coalition member Aaron Ruby was equally
adamant.

"They are letting murders walk away scot-free," Ruby said. "These
charges do not address the fact that he was murdered. These charges
are about breaking and entering.

"This is a dangerous signal that Houston police basically have a
license to kill."

The federal grand jury could not indict the officers for murder, only
civil rights violations. The state grand jury that considered the case
indicted only one officer, Willis, for misdemeanor trespass. He was
acquitted.

League of United Latin American Citizens spokesman Johnny Mata, who
met with Oregon's family, FBI Director Louis Freeh and U.S. Rep.
Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Houston, in November, said Monday, "It's always
been our contention that this was a civil rights violation."

"All persons of color were concerned about the lawlessness of this
police act. Officers need to be held accountable and should not be
above the law," Mata said.

Mexican Consul General Rodulfo Figueroa had said his office would
continue its moral support of the Oregon family.

He said the federal indictments showed the state did not handle the
case well.

Gulfton-area immigrant community worker Omar Velez, whose southwest
Houston office of the Central American refugee center GANO-CARECEN is
near the apartment where Oregon was shot, said Monday that a coalition
has been meeting monthly with Chief Clarence Bradford to improve the
Houston Police Department's relationship with the Hispanic community.

"This is something better, but still not enough with only two officers
indicted. We will continue looking for justice, but not by using
violence," Velez said.

"We believe in the system. We need representation in a Citizen Review
Committee and better training at the police academy," he said.

"These cases happen on a regular basis with police abuse, but it does
not end in death so it's not as high-profile," Mata said. "Most on the
police force work hard to do their job right and need to be given
consideration and respect. But there are a lot, including smaller
municipalities and sheriffs' departments, that need to be looked into."

Jackson Lee, one of three representatives who called for a federal
investigation, said she was pleased with the way the U.S. Attorney's
Office proceeded.

However, she said did not want to comment specifically on the
indictment until she receives a briefing.

"I think all of us thought there was a problem with the procedure that
led to the death of Pedro Oregon," Jackson Lee said.

"This is an appropriate role for the federal government. I raised my
concerns on the grounds of violation of civil rights."

U.S. Rep. Gene Green, D-Houston, said, "My whole concern was to make
sure that the investigation wasn't held up if there were still
questions to be answered. I'm glad that it will be carried forward."
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MAP posted-by: Derek Rea