Chris Cram
09-02-2008, 10:45
http://www.kgw.com/news-local/stories/kgw_090108_news_tourist_mexico.3589a60b.html
An Oregon tourist is dead after being taken to a Mexican jail, and six Mexican officers are under house arrest in the death.
KGW report on death in Mexican jail Sam Botner, a crab fisherman from Yoncalla, Oregon and his wife went on vacation last week in San Jose del Cabo, near Cabo San Lucas. The trip was to celebrate Sam's return from fishing season in Alaska.
But the trip didn't go well, according to Kim, who told KGW after four days they felt taken advantage of because they did not speak Spanish. They were planning to return home early.
Wednesday, August 27th, the couple had returned from dinner around 8:30pm. Kim Botner says they both went for a swim in the ocean. Her husband Sam, went up to their rented condo to change while she stayed on the beach.
A short time later Kim said she heard her husband shouting and angry. She ran to the parking lot and saw a man sitting on the ground. She said Sam had gotten into a confrontation with a security officer working at the condo, then into a fight with the man, who they did not know.
Police arrived, handcuffed Sam Botner and took him to jail.
Kim said he was resisting the officers---but did not deserve to die in the Mexican jail.
“I’m sure he was resisting,” said Kim Botner. " But he was handcuffed the whole time, they told me that. And within one hour after they arrested him he was dead. I’ve seen 29 pictures after they arrested him and they beat him to death,” said Kim Botner.
Six Mexican officers have been placed under house arrest on suspicion of homicide, according to Baja California Sur state deputy prosecutor Omar Bajaras. At least one of those guards admitted kicking Botner in the face, according to authorities.
A medical examiner recorded minor bruises on Botner's face at the time of his arrest, but more were found on his body after his death, the prosecutor said.
Barajas said the police officers gave contradictory statements about the man's incarceration. One confessed to kicking him in the face. Others said the victim hit his face on the ground when they pushed him to the floor to subdue him.
Surveillance video and witness statements indicate that officers struck the victim, Barajas said.
An Oregon tourist is dead after being taken to a Mexican jail, and six Mexican officers are under house arrest in the death.
KGW report on death in Mexican jail Sam Botner, a crab fisherman from Yoncalla, Oregon and his wife went on vacation last week in San Jose del Cabo, near Cabo San Lucas. The trip was to celebrate Sam's return from fishing season in Alaska.
But the trip didn't go well, according to Kim, who told KGW after four days they felt taken advantage of because they did not speak Spanish. They were planning to return home early.
Wednesday, August 27th, the couple had returned from dinner around 8:30pm. Kim Botner says they both went for a swim in the ocean. Her husband Sam, went up to their rented condo to change while she stayed on the beach.
A short time later Kim said she heard her husband shouting and angry. She ran to the parking lot and saw a man sitting on the ground. She said Sam had gotten into a confrontation with a security officer working at the condo, then into a fight with the man, who they did not know.
Police arrived, handcuffed Sam Botner and took him to jail.
Kim said he was resisting the officers---but did not deserve to die in the Mexican jail.
“I’m sure he was resisting,” said Kim Botner. " But he was handcuffed the whole time, they told me that. And within one hour after they arrested him he was dead. I’ve seen 29 pictures after they arrested him and they beat him to death,” said Kim Botner.
Six Mexican officers have been placed under house arrest on suspicion of homicide, according to Baja California Sur state deputy prosecutor Omar Bajaras. At least one of those guards admitted kicking Botner in the face, according to authorities.
A medical examiner recorded minor bruises on Botner's face at the time of his arrest, but more were found on his body after his death, the prosecutor said.
Barajas said the police officers gave contradictory statements about the man's incarceration. One confessed to kicking him in the face. Others said the victim hit his face on the ground when they pushed him to the floor to subdue him.
Surveillance video and witness statements indicate that officers struck the victim, Barajas said.