5 accused a decade after famend Puerto Rican boxer killed

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — With heads bowed and surrounded by closely armed police, the primary suspects arrested almost a decade after the deadly capturing of famend Puerto Rico boxer Héctor Camacho appeared in courtroom Wednesday to face homicide costs.

Five males are accused within the slaying of the fighter nicknamed “Macho Camacho” and a pal whereas they sat in a Ford Mustang outdoors a bar in November 2012, a killing that shocked many who revered the boxer.

Three of the suspects had been serving federal sentences for unrelated crimes and had been flown in from Florida as a part of what police known as “Operation Knockout.” A fourth suspect was arrested within the pre-dawn hours in the identical metropolis the place Camacho was killed, rising with solely a towel wrapped round his waist simply minutes after police with lengthy weapons surrounded his home and knocked on a window. A fifth suspect stays in a Puerto Rico jail for an unrelated case.

Authorities mentioned two different suspects had been killed in unrelated occasions in 2013 and 2015.

Hours after the suspects had been charged, Camacho’s aged mom strode into Puerto Rico’s Department of Justice and raised her proper fist.

“Justice! Justice has been done!” she exclaimed as her voice broke.

Camacho, 50, was shot within the face and was clinically mind useless however remained on life assist for a number of days after the capturing as family members debated what to do whereas supporters stood vigil outdoors the hospital.

Former Puerto Rico boxer Víctor Callejas, a detailed pal of Camacho, informed The Associated Press that it was extraordinarily essential to him that a number of suspects had been lastly charged within the case as he continues to mourn the fighter: “He was not the type of person who sought enemies. To the contrary, he was always looking to make people laugh one way or another. He was a unique character.”

Police mentioned Camacho was shot as soon as whereas outdoors a bar known as “Azuquita” within the northern metropolis of Bayamón, sitting in a automobile with a pal recognized as Adrián Mojica Moreno, who had 9 small baggage of cocaine in his pocket and a tenth bag that was open. Moreno additionally was shot one time.

Janet Parra, a public prosecutor who oversees the justice division’s division of organized crime and medicines, mentioned she couldn’t reveal the motive behind the killing or share any proof. However, she mentioned authorities pursued each tip acquired, noting that typically it led them to a useless finish.

“We didn’t remain with our arms crossed,” she mentioned.

Jessika Correa, who oversees public prosecutors, added that she was glad with the arrests: “This case shook (the island) … A star of Puerto Rico boxing died.”

The suspects had been recognized as William Rodríguez Rodríguez, Luis Ayala García and Joshua Méndez Romero, who’re being held on an $800,000 bond. The fourth suspect was recognized as Jesús Naranjo Adorno, being held on a $300,000 bond. The fifth was recognized as Juan Figueroa Rivera, held on a $1 million bond.

Their attorneys couldn’t be instantly reached for remark.

“They gave me justice,” mentioned Camacho’s mom. “I can sleep in peace. I can eat and drink a little cup of coffee in the morning.”