Oregon tourist dies in Mexican jail, six officers under house arrest

[Chris Cram]

http://www.kgw.com/news-local/storie....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.

[exsquid]

Sad story that will only get sadder when nothing happens to the officers.

x/S

[60_Driver]

I don't even know why anyone still goes to Cabo. The crime rate is insane, and they're getting more violent.

[Smokin Joe]

Originally Posted by 60_Driver

I don't even know why anyone still goes to Cabo. The crime rate is insane, and they're getting more violent.

I go there almost every year with my family and have been going there for over 10 years now. I nor anyone in my family has ever had a problem. Of course our trips usually consist of lounging by the pool or on the beach and Marlin fishing.

I would recommend Cabo to anyone... you just need to remember you are a guest in a foreign country that has a huge poverty issue and act accordingly.

[60_Driver]

A bunch of buds and I used to do the desert 4X4 thing at least once a year down to Cabo. Well, down to San Jose. I shipped overseas and kinda let it drop, but I saw one of the crew on my last trip home in April, and he had some stories. The rest of the group gave it up last year because they felt it was just too dangerous.

But I haven't had any personal experience there since 1998.