3 Marines Are Granted Immunity to Tell of Killing of Goat Herder
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MARFA, Texas — Three of four U.S. Marines involved in the May shooting death of a teenager have been offered immunity in return for their testimony, authorities said.
Gerald Crow, appointed by the Justice Department to represent Lance Cpl. James M. Blood, said Blood will appear before a Presidio County grand jury in Marfa today.
Cpl. Roy Torres Jr., 19, and Lance Cpl. Ronald Wieler Jr., 21, also were granted immunity for testifying about the shooting death of Esequiel Hernandez Jr. near his home in Redford, officials said.
The grand jury is meeting for the second time today to consider charges in the May 20 slaying.
Hernandez was shot after crossing paths with a four-man Marine surveillance team while tending his goatherd.
Military officials say Hernandez fired twice at the Marines with a .22-caliber rifle and was about to shoot again when Cpl. Clemente Banuelos fired with an M-16.
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