1996News

Murder of boy in Enriquillo lacks press coverage

In an event which in some ways is similar to the murder of Jose Rafael Llenas Aybar, but in others has striking contrasts, Genis Samboy Perez, 11, was murdered in the community of Loma Chene, Enriquillo. Young Genis was killed with a machete cut to the throat. Two Dominicans and several Haitians were detained by the police in their investigation of the crime. Although the Haitians were released after no evidence to suggest they were involved was found, Rafael Perez Lois and Edroy Felix of the D.R. remain in police custody. Mr. Perez Lois and Mr. Felix were the last two people to see Genis, whose family is so poor that they did not even possess a photograph of the boy.

The 3 May murder of Jose Rafael Llenas Aybar has received considerable attention in the news media and caught the attention of most citizens, reports on the murder of Genis Samboy has been covered in far less detail. While some attribute the difference in the coverage to the fact that young Jose Rafael was murdered in the capital and Genis in a remote area in Barahona, others have accused the news media of selective journalism. The National Attorney General, Ramon Pina Acevedo, told the Listin Diario newspaper that because the Llenas Aybar family has a more favorable social and financial position in society, the murder of their son has been given more attention.