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DE RUEHBO #0624 0512139
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P 202139Z FEB 08
FM AMEMBASSY BOGOTA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1437
INFO RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS PRIORITY 9981
RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ FEB 9241
RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA PRIORITY 5924
RUEHZP/AMEMBASSY PANAMA PRIORITY 1251
RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO PRIORITY 6565
RUEHGL/AMCONSUL GUAYAQUIL PRIORITY 4298
RUEAWJC/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY

UNCLAS BOGOTA 000624 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PHUM PGOV KJUS MARR CO
SUBJECT: COURT FINDS COLONEL GUILTY OF JAMUNDI KILLINGS 
 
¶1. Summary: On February 18, the Trial Court of Cali found 
Colombian military Colonel Byron Carvajal and fourteen 
members of his platoon guilty of "aggravated homicide" for 
the May 22, 2006 massacre of ten members of an elite 
anti-narcotics police unit and an informant in Jamundi (Valle 
del Cauca department). This was the first complex case  tried 
under the new criminal accusatory system.  Sentencing will 
take place on April 21, with Carvajal facing a possible 
maximum sentence of 60 years.  The defendants are expected to 
appeal. End Summary. 
 
¶2. A trial Court in Cali found Colonel Byron Carvajal and 
fourteen members of his army platoon guilty of aggravated 
homicide for the May 22, 2006 massacre of an elite 
anti-narcotics police unit and an informant in Jamundi, Valle 
de Cauca.  Carvajal's platoon ambushed ten Colombian National 
Police who formed an elite anti-narcotics police unit.  The 
unit worked closely with the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).  T 
 
¶3. The Fiscalia presented over 50 witnesses and 600 
evidentiary exhibits showing Carvajal instructed his unit to 
ambush and kill the police.  Over a span of 30 minutes, the 
fourteen soldiers fired over 4350 rounds of ammunition and 
launched six hand grenades.  The defendants argued the 
exchange was a legitimate gunfire exchange, since the 
military unit was operating in a high risk terrorist area and 
presumed the police were a terrorist group or drug 
traffickers. 
 
¶4. Investigators suspect Carvajal and his unit were 
collaborating with narcotics traffickers in the area. 
Carvajal allegedly had ties to Indio William, an associate of 
Diego Leon Montoya, and was in the area when the shooting 
occurred. Former paramilitary leader Ever Veloza (aka "HH") 
stated in his proffer under the Justice and Peace Law process 
that he met Carvajal in 1995 and collaborated with his unit 
in Uraba. 
 
¶5. Prosecutor General Iguaran applauded the decision and 
called for the maximum sentence of 60 years. Armed Forces 
Commander Freddy Padilla said the military respects the 
court's decision. He praised investigators for their 
impartial investigation and reiterated the military's 
commitment to respecting human rights and the rule of law. 
 
¶6. The trial, which lasted from December 18, 2006 to January 
29, 2008, was the first significant, complex case under the 
new criminal accusatory system.  Under the old system, a case 
with so many witnesses, evidence, and number of defense 
attorneys would have lasted for years.  The Colombian public 
also had access to the trial process - enabling them to track 
the Fiscalia's and defense team's presentations as well as 
the judge's decisions.  The case also showed  the civilian 
authorities' ability to investigate and prosecute wrongdoing 
by military units. 
Brownfield