9/03/04: Judge Wanger issued an historic decision today, finding Modesto resident Alvaro Saravia responsible for his role in the assassination of Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador. Romero was killed as he was saying mass on March 24, 1980. Judge Wanger ordered Saravia to pay $10 million to the plaintiff, a relative of the Archbishop, who has still not been identified for security reasons. Archbishop Oscar Romero was one of the most revered advocates for human rights in the Americas. The trial, which started last month, concluded on Friday, September 3. See a report from the first day of the trial here and here. See video of the support rally held outside of the Federal Building here. The hearing was the culmination of a lawsuit brought against Modesto resident Alvaro Rafael Saravia for his role in organizing the assassination. Saravia, a former Captain in the Salvadoran military, was the right-hand man to reputed Salvadoran death squad leader Roberto D’Aubuisson. For more information about this case go to the Center for Justice and Accountability web site. Also see the Central Valley IMC Page