the Other Verdict

Much was made of the dismissal by a Los Angeles federal judge of charges against Dr. Humberto Alvarez Machain in the 1985 torture-murder of D.E.A. agent Enrique Camarena. But the prosecution did not come away completely empty-handed. Alvarez’s co-defendant, Ruben Zuno Arce, a Mexican businessman and brother-in-law of former Mexican President Luis Echeverria, was convicted in the same court. According to the jury, Zuno helped plan Camarena’s kidnapping and was present while he was tortured. He could receive life.