Landowners Paid Cops Who Killed Protesters

Wealthy landowners paid the state troopers who slaughtered 19 peasants and wounded dozens of others demonstrating for agrarian reform in the Amazonian state of Para, a new witness has told authorities.

Paulo Felix, a spokesman for the Justice Ministry, said Friday the witness also testified that several hired gunmen disguised as troopers took part in the April 18 massacre on a highway near Eldorado do Carajas, 1,250 miles north of Sao Paulo.

The witness, identified only as the owner of a large ranch in the area, said at least 20 landowners each handed over $5,000 to the police colonel who headed the operation.