Mexican priest arrested for allegedly murdering town's mayor

Published: 2004-05-14

MEXICO CITY (CNS) -- A Catholic priest has been arrested for allegedly shooting and killing the mayor of a small town in southern Mexico, authorities said. A witness said Father Lorenzo Cuellar Vasquez of Coalac was arguing with the mayor of the nearby town early May 11 just before shots rang out, according to government spokeswoman Elsa Bella. Chalpatlahuac Mayor Lorenzo Ruiz Villarreal was declared dead on arrival at a nearby hospital with four gunshot wounds. His son was shot in the knee and listed in stable condition. Shortly afterward, local police arrested Father Cuellar and another Coalac priest, Father Ernesto Garcia Rodriguez, who will be charged as an accomplice to the murder, Bella said.

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