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MARCHING POWDER

endangering their lives. This was backed up by the fact that Jorge Velasco had been obliged to change his statement in order to save his own life. Lanza did a very good job of making the Velascos sound like brave police agents, and me sound like a calculating drug baron. He spoke confidently and looked my lawyer in the eye when he answered his questions. He was winning the battle until Manuelo pulled out his big question.

Pointing at Jorge and Jose Luis, Manuelo asked, 'And Colonel Lanza, would you please tell the court what is your relation to these two defendants?'

Lanza fidgeted for a few moments before mumbling an answer that no one heard.

'Could you repeat your answer, colonel?' Manuelo said, emphasizing the word 'colonel'.

'I . . .' Lanza looked around nervously and tried to stall for time. 'I . . . I don't understand what you're asking.'

'It's not difficult. I'll repeat the question,' said Manuelo sarcastically, driving home his point. He had him now. 'What is your relation to the defendants Jose Luis and Jorge Velasco?'

'Why are you asking me this? I am a colonel in the Bolivian drug investigation unit.'

'Answer the question please, witness!' bellowed Manuelo. Colonel Lanza looked like he was finally about to answer, but the fiscal jumped in and saved him.

'Objection. The witness is not obliged to respond.'

'Why not?' snapped Manuelo, turning angrily to address the fiscal. His face finally showed the anger that had been building up against the prosecutor during the trial. The colonel was a witness for the defence, which meant the fiscal was supposed to be cross-examining him, not protecting him.

'By law, the witness is not obliged to answer that question,' the fiscal repeated, and quoted a statute. Manuelo argued strongly, but the fiscal shouted him down and showed him the statute. Even then, Manuelo continued to argue.

'The fiscal is correct,' interrupted one of the judges. 'The witness may decline to respond, if he so chooses.' Manuelo argued with the judge, but the other judges called for order and asked that the case continue. Manuelo glared at the prosecutor and slapped the table to

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