Mr. Squiers to Mr.
Hay.
American Legation,
Habana, January 22,
1904.
No. 825.]
Sir: Referring to legation’s dispatch No. 790,
of December 31, 1903, and Department instruction No. 319, of the 14th
instant, relative to the murder of E. A. Murray, an American citizen, I
have the honor to transmit herewith translation of a note received from
the foreign office advising me of a decision which has been rendered by
the audiencia at Camaguey, the place where the murder was committed,
acquitting Manuel Fuentes Remedios, alias “Jubileo,” who had been
charged with the murder, on the ground of insanity, and confining him to
an asylum for the insane. The proceedings against the police officer,
Serafin Monteo, who locked up the murdered man in the same cell with the
insane negro, supposed to be harmlessly so, have also been dismissed,
but he will be punished for negligence in the discharge of his
duties.
I am, etc.,
[Inclosure.]
Mr. Zaldo to
Mr. Squiers.
Department of State and Justice,
Habana, January 13, 1904.
Mr. Minister: Referring to the murder of
Mr. E. A. Murray, in consequence of which the corresponding cause
followed before the tribunals of Camaguey, where the murder
occurred, I have the honor to inform your excellency that I am
informed by the chief magistrate of the audiencia of that city that
a decision has been handed down in said cause entirely dismissing
Manuel Fuentes
[Page 257]
Remedios,
alias “Jubileo,” principal of the crime, as his state of insanity
was demonstrated, and he was, therefore, irresponsible for his acts;
and that he has been ordered confined in the insane asylum. Police
Officer Serafin Monteo, jailer at the police headquarters, was
likewise dismissed (he being the one who, ignorant of the insanity
of “Jubileo,” put him and Murray both in the same cell), inasmuch as
none of his acts constituted either a crime or misdemeanor. However,
the municipal mayor was informed thereof, in order that he might be
administratively punished for the negligence he has shown in the
discharge of his duties.
I avail myself, etc.,
