Santo Domingo prosecutors have released the written declaration by Jose Antonio Mercado Blanco (El Grande) accused of the murder of Yuniol Ramírez together with fugitive Argenis Contreras. Also accused is the former director of the state bus company, Omsa, Manuel Rivera, who, in statements to the press, has maintained his innocence. The prosecutors refer to Rivera as an author or accomplice in the crime of criminal association, kidnapping, murder and prevarication.
State prosecutors say that Ramírez was developing a case of corruption against Rivera at the Omsa and had asked for RD$4 million to desist of the case.
In the declaration to prosecutors, Mercado says that it was Contreras who fired the shot to the head that killed Ramirez as they were riding in a Ford Ranger pickup, property of Omsa, at Km 9 of the Duarte Highway. Mercado Blanco said that Contreras had been charge of purchasing at Omsa and then was made chief supervisor.
In the statement, Mercado said that on the morning of Wednesday, 12 October 2017, together with Contreras they entered the UASD where they intercepted Ramírez forcing him into the pickup. Minutes later he was dead.
Mercado Blanco had been working five years at the Omsa as the bus fleet supervisor based at the Omsa headquarters at Av. Prolongación 27 de Febrero in Las Caobas, Santo Domingo West.
Read the statement by the defendant Mercado Blanco:
Acento
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7 Dias
18 October 2017
