6 Charged in Mexican TV Star’s Death

MEXICO CITY — Mexican court officials have brought formal charges against six people accused in the slaying of television personality Francisco “Paco” Stanley, including the victim’s close friend and comic sidekick.

Judge Rafael Guerrero of Mexico City’s 55th District criminal court late Thursday ordered the six to remain in jail pending trial, deputy criminal prosecutor Hugo Vera told Formula radio station Friday.

Stanley’s friend and television foil Mario Bezares, who investigators say set Stanley up to be shot, is among the six arrested. All of them are charged with premeditated murder, attempted murder and causing bodily harm.

Stanley, 56, was shot to death June 7 when an unknown number of armed men ambushed his luxury sport-utility vehicle outside a restaurant in a southern neighborhood of Mexico City and shot him four times in the head.

An insurance agent who was a bystander also died, and three other people were injured as the attackers fired more than 25 shots.

The five others charged in the crime are alleged drug kingpin Luiz Amezcua, who police believe ordered the hit from jail because of a cocaine debt; Erasmo Perez Garnica, alias El Cholo; Jorge Garcia, Stanley’s driver at the time of the shooting; Paola Durante, a Uruguayan-born showgirl who danced on Stanley’s television show; and Jose Martinez, Bezares’ administrative assistant.

The suspects have repeatedly stated that they are innocent.

Lawyers and family members questioned the source of the evidence against the suspects, saying investigators were acting on the sole testimony of a man who supposedly was a cook for Amezcua.