The World - News from June 18, 1989

Jose Antonio Zorrilla, once head of Mexico’s now-defunct Federal Security Directorate, was indicted for murder in the 1984 slaying of journalist Manuel Buendia. Prosecutors contend that Zorrilla, 47, masterminded the killing of the influential Excelsior newspaper columnist, who was shot in the back in a Mexico City parking lot on May 30, 1984. In presenting its case, the prosecution said Buendia was slain because Zorrilla feared the journalist would expose links to some of Mexico’s major drug traffickers. Zorrilla, who has denied having any role in the murder, did not enter a plea at the hearing. At the same time, an arrest warrant was issued for Buendia’s alleged assassin, but authorities refused to disclose the identity of the suspect.