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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (July 23, 1981)
13 E S S 1 E V? E T Z E L L u of one z v.' .j r a r " i- i ' The Heppner High Precip 5 m VOL. M, NO. 30 Verduzco convicted of murder in Guzman slaying By PATTI ALLSTOTT At 12:01 p.m. Wednesday, after atxiut three hours of deliberation, a Jury of six women and six men found Jose Murio Mendoza Verduz co, noardman, guilty of mur- der, reHrt Morrow County District Attorney Ann Spicer. Verduzco was charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder in the shoot ing death of Antonio "Tony" Delgadillo Guzman also of Boardman. The charge of conspiracy to commit murder wan subsequently dropped. The shooting took place the night of April 25 near the H Bar W Tavern in Boardman. Morrow County Clerk Bar hura Rloodsworth said the Guzman murder was the first, other than one case involving a juvenile, in Morrow County since June, 1955. The twenty six year-old incident occurred June 4, 1955, when a Heppner woman shot a Portland law yer, at O'Donnell's Cafe in Heppner. Verduzco will be sentenced .In about six weeks, according to Spicer, Following is a rejHtrt of the Verduzco trial: The trial of Jose Mario Mendoza Verduzco, Board man, which began Thursday. July 9 continued Monday morning, July 13, at the Morrow County Courthouse in Heppner. One witness, John Childers, owner of the H Bar W Tavern, said he saw both Guzman and the defendant in the tavern the night of the shooting. He also stated he could not remember if the defendent had a drink or not. The defense attorney maintained that Verduzco sel dom drank, was a peaceful man and fearing for his life, shot Guzman in self defense Childers told the jury he heard no arguments or fights in the tavern the night of April 25. He also said Verduzco and Guzman both frequented the tavern and couldn't recall any disturbances from cither man. When asked if be had see a knife or other weapon on Guzman the night of the shooting, Childers said he hadn't noticed any. Later Monday morning, Pio Savala (Pablo Diaz) took the witness stand and testified by means of a translator, that he too had been in the tavern the night of the shooting and that Mario (Verduzco) had entered the tavern about 8:30 p.m. and loft a short time later. He said Guzman was at the tavern when he arrived and later left alone. Pio said he didn't see that Guzman had a knife. Pio then stated that he had seen Verduzco in the parking lot with a gun as he was leaving the tavern but did not see the shooting or pointing of the gun. The next witness to testify was Jose Barajos, who said he had sold a gun to Pedro Ortiz about 1-1 Mi months before the hooting but had not heard Mario and Pedro talk about killing Tony. The prosecuting attorney maintained that Verduzco had discussed killing Guzman be fore the incident. Ruberto Chavez, who is employed at Oregon Potato Inc. with both Mario and Tony was called to the stand and Morrow County's THURSDAY. stated that he hadn't seen Guzman with a weapon the night of the shooting either. He further stated he did not see any weapons on Guzman's body, or any being removed from his body. Chavez also stated that Mario was "over" Tony at work but he never knew Tony to be upset about it. He said that Tony had gotten a gun because he was afraid of Pedro. Later, Spicer called Mario Avilas, a friend of Verduzco's, to the stand. Avilas stated he had been at the H Bar W Tavern the night of April 25 with Mario Verduzco. He said he and the defendant had one beer, that the defendant and Tony had "words" and then Sidewalk Sale features food, sales & more sales Pi r , II H ? 1 - if f r --N-f iq I V u Y Ralph Limanen of the Coast to Coast store in Heppner displays some of the merchandise to be on sale at the Sidewalk Sale this Saturday. The annual Heppner Side walk Sale gels underway this Saturday. July 25. with more to offer than just good buys from local merchants. Many groups will be out on the downtown sidewalks with food booths and other services for your entertainment. Included in the Sidewalk Sale activities are: a ham and egg breakfast in the parking lot of Central Market first thing Saturday morning, put on by the Heppner Firemen. The breakfast will begin at 8 a.m., last until 11 a.m. and will include hashbrowns and Eng lish muffins. Other activities include a pie and food booth by the Rebekah Lodge, balloons and Several wheat fires reported in Heppner, Lex., lone ureas Several wheat fires have been reported In the Heppner-Lexington-Ione areas during recent harvest. A fire at the farm of Tony Home-Owned Weekly Newspaper JULY 23, IM1 It PAGES they (Verduzco and Avilas) left the tavern. The witness also stated that Tony did not threaten to kill Verduzco but wanted to fight him and that Verduzco wouldn't fight. Avil as also said he hadn't heard Tony threaten to kill Pedro. Rafael Alvaras was later called to the stand to testify. Alvaras, another friend of Verduzco stated that he and Pedro had driven to the tavern together in his pickup while Verduzco and Sebero (Berduz co) left for the tavern in Verduzco's van. He said Tony and Pedro were fighting as Verduzco and Sebero were parking at the tavern and that Verduzco then jumped out of the van with the rifle. Then, mm ii j cook books for sale by the Hospital Auxiliary, a pie sale by the local Elks, hot dogs and pop by the local Cub Scouts, a pie sale by the Soroptimist Club, cook books for sale by the CowBelles, custom jewel ry and food for sale by the Heppner Mineral Club, pop corn balls, burrilos. monster cookies and cinnamon rolls by the Christian Life Center, crafts and knicknacks by the Neighltorhood Center. Mexi can burgers by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, cotton candy, pop and popcorn by the Lions Club, a food sale by the Heppner High School Dance Team, and a food sale to raise money for the solar heating system at the swimming pool. Ooherty at Blackhorse Can yon took about 50 acres of wheat Monday afternoon. The fire, which began around 4 or 5 p.m., burned until around 7:30 iL XX 20 CENTS said Alvaras. Sebero took the gun, ejected the shell and gave it back to Verduzco and then headed for the back of the parking lot. Alvaras stated he theft got back in his pickup and was backing out of the parking lot when Verduzco came running up to the pickup with the gun and said he wanted to get out of there fast. The witness said Verduzco didn't tell him what had happened. He said he did not see Tony with a knife and hadn't seen Pedro with a weapon either. Alvaras said Verduzco came running from the pharmacy -post office area but did not see what had happened and did not hear a shot. Officer Jesse Villa real took City will only sell A spokesperson from the city of Heppner told the Gazette Monday that the Willow Creek dam crew is being sold water from the Thorpe Well, not the city water supply. The city will sell the crew water only if the city has an excess. The spokesperson said that manv area citizens mistaken Berduzco not Sebero Andrade Berduzco. Boardman. charged with mur der by aiding and abetting in connection with the death of Antonio Delgadillo Guzman, also of Boardman, was deem ed not guilty, according to Morrow County District attor ney Ann Spicer. The trial of Berduzco, who was represented by Heppner attorney Herman Winter, got underway at 9.15 Monday morning and concluded around 1 p.m. Tuesday after about 2'-. hours of deliberation by the jury. OEPBS activates new translator near Heppner A UHF-TV translator carry ing the program service of the Oregon Educational and Pub lic Broadcasting Service was recently activated near Hep pner, announced Robert Hinz. OFPBS director of operations, engineering and radio pro gramming. Operating on UHF Channel 63, the translator is designed to serve the Heppner, Lexing ton, Monument, Long Creek and Dale areas. II is located at Black Mountain approximate ly 19 miles southeast of Heppner, at an elevation of 5.950 feet. The newest OEPBS trans lator operates with a power of 100 watts and utilizes a non-directional antenna which transmits its television signal in a circular pattern. Receiv ing UHF antennas should be pointed directly at Black Mountain. A clear view of the p.m. Neighbors resonded to the call. A fire at the farm of Max Barclay burned only stubble, according to Mrs. Barclay. IIEPI'VEH. OREGON the witness stand and told of the interview he had conduct ed with Mario Verduzco after the shooting. The officer said Verduzco stated he had killed the deceased with a gun he had obtained from a friend who owed him money. Villa real related accounts from the interview concerning events before, during and after the shooting. He also stated that Verduzco had told him he was afraid Tony was going to beat him up. but could not recall if Verduzco was afraid Tony would kill him. Villareal appeared to be in a great deal of pain during his testimony and was released directly after questioning. He later submitted a written account of surplus water ly believed that the water is presently being sold from the city supply. The spokesperson stressed that the recent water restric ",uiis ro being enforced to ensure that enough water remains in the reservoir for fire protection, and not be cause water is being sold. guilty Circuit Judge Jack Olsen. Pendleton, presided Jose Mario Mendoza Ver duzco. Boardman. was tried and found guilty of murder last week in the April 25 death of Guzman. The charges against a third man allegedly involved in the slaying. Pedro Cisneros Ortiz, have been dismissed, accord ing to Spicer. Ortiz, originally charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder, was to have been t'ied at the Morrow County Courthouse August 3. mountain, normally referred to as "line ol . sight" will provide the best signal. The translator installation is another element in an Oregon Commission on Public Broad casting and OKI'BS project designed to extend public television service to comimin itiles unable to receive the main OEPBS TV stations -KOAP - Channel Id. KOAC -Channel 7. KVDO - Channel 3 and KTVR - Channel 13. Eighteen other translators are in service at various points in Oregon. The Black Mountain station will carry the full schedule of programs as they originate at KOAP - TV. Portland. For the summer, sign-on time is 4 p.m. On September l-t. OEPBS TV stations and trans lators will return to a full daytime schedule of program ming. Mrs. Barclay said that tne tire neared the family's grain elevators, but that the quick response of neighbors pre vented further damage. Weather BY THK CITY OK HEPPNER Tups.. July 14 Wed.. July 15 Thurs. July 16 Fri . July 17 Sal.. July 18 Sun.. July 19 Mon.. Julv 20 the interview with Verduzco, which was entered as an exhibit for evidence. Officer Ronald Hosek was recalled to the stand and testified that he had received a phone call from Verduzco's wife, who told him Verduzco wanted to talk to him. Hosek stated Verduzco later phoned him and confessed to shooting Guzman. Court was recessed until 9 a.m.. Tuesday morning and members of the jury were excused. At this point. F.E. Glenn, attorney for the de fendant, asked that Judge Wells dismiss Count II - Continued p. 10 Break in water main results in restrictions A 10-foot tear in the Heppner City watermain around 3:45 p.m. Friday resulted in re strictions on watering lawns un'Jl Saturday evening, accor ding to City Administrator Marshall Lovgren. Actual repair of the main, which was damaged during work on relocation of the Willow Creek road in prepara tion for the Willow Creek dam. took about 2'2 hours, said Lovgren. Restrictions on wat ering continued, however, be cause the Heppner City reser voir had gotten so low. The reservoir refilled around noon on Saturday, but regular restrictions on watering were in effect until that evening. Art sale to coincide with Sidewalk Sale Some 30 members will have oil paintings, tole painting. China painting, silver jewelry Chappells9 home lone Yard of Month v - Hobv ami F.ihel Chappell The lone Yard of the Month for July has been presented to Roby and Ethel Chappell, newcomers to town, having moved to lone this past March. In selection of the Chappell's yard, the selection committee commented that "neat ness and showy blooms caught their eyes while driving past this attractive yellow home on the corner of 'D' and Third streets. On close inspection, we found the yard and vegetable garden virtually weed-free and thrivtnp in snit3 tf thn liM-.it ,-.il lh pn.l ,if Tnn Low 52 53 54 55 52 53 ' 52 m 90 92 91 86 87 88 Fair and itodeo IMews X. fa Court captures 2nd out of 20 courts at Elgin The Morrow County Fair and Rodeo Court captured second place at the Elgin Stampede held on Sunday. Facing stiff competition and extensive judging, Morrow County's court came in second out of 20 courts behind Walla Walla with a five-member court. . Accompanying Queen Nan cy Miller to the Elgin rodeo were her parents. Tad and Melba Miller, and her brother, Steve, Princess Kathy Hansen Board, Chamber support parade The Morrow County Fair Board will again fund the major portion of expenses to present the Main Street Par ade this year, according to a fair spokesperson. i Each year the fair board budgets these funds and turns them over to the Heppner Chamber of Commerce who dispenses the funds as they see fit. The Heppner Chamber of Commerce works on pre parations for the parade all through the year and such and other arts and crafts for sale. Morrow Countv Creative n " ; jr v." - AJJ1II and her mother, Cathy Han sen, and Princess Anita Pal mer and her parents, Lee and Mary Ann, Pennant Bearer Shelley Stroeber and her parents, Don and Jan, and sisters, Cindi and Christy, and Lori Fetsch and her parents, Larry and Donna Fetsch. The Court has scheduled a dance, on August 1 at the Morrow County Fair Pavilion and will appear at the Umatilla County Fair at Hermiston August 8. preparations take time on the part of this organization, plus they plan the Queen and her Court's luncheon each year. "The fair board has always felt our annual parades are a major event to look forward to and along with the Heppner Chamber of Commerce wish to continue to support the annual event, therefore these organizations should be com mended for serving the com munity this way," concluded the spokesperson. Arts and Crafts will have a show and sale at Heppner City Park on July 25 along with Heppner Sidewalk Sale. "The attractive yard," continued the committee, "has a nice selection of perennials and annuals for continuous bloom, fruit trees and a large vegetable garden." "The gardeners milieu as to where to put these necessities - structures and equipment -is taken care of neatly and inconspicuously by the Chappells in a back corner of their lot. "We want to welcome the Chappells to our community and thank them for making their yard so attractive to passers-by," concluded the selection committee.
