Convicted Haitian Assassin Surrenders

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Convicted Haitian Assassin Surrenders
Convicted Assassin and Rebel Commander Surrenders to Haitian Officials, Proclaims Innocence

The Associated Press

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti April 22 — Proclaiming his innocence, convicted assassin and rebel commander Louis-Jodel Chamblain surrendered to justice officials Thursday.

To the cheers of supporters, Chamblain walked into a jail after holding a news conference at a hotel in suburban Petionville. He was accompanied by Haiti's interim Justice Minister Bernard Gousse and police officials.

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Chamblain said his conviction was politically motivated, and he was confident a new trial would vindicate him. He also urged others accused of crimes, including members of ousted President Jean-Bertrand Aristide's Lavalas party, to turn themselves in.

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Chamblain was convicted in absentia and sentenced to life for the 1993 murder of Aristide financier Antoine Izmery, who was dragged from a church, made to kneel and shot. Chamblain was also convicted and sentenced to life for the 1994 killings of more than a dozen Aristide supporters in the northern town of Gonaives.

more: http://abcnews.go.com/wire/World/ap20040422_812.html