INQUIRY INTO GOATHERD'S SLAYING ENDS

WASHINGTON--The Justice Department has closed its civil rights
investigation into the death of a Redford, Texas, teenager shot by a Marine
during a Southwest border drug patrol, a congressman said Thursday.

But Rep. Lamar S. Smith (R-Texas), who chairs the House immigration
subcommittee, said he will open an inquiry of his own into the May 1997
death of 18-year-old Esequiel Hernandez Jr.

Hernandez's family is pursuing a civil claim against the government. Smith
said Justice Department officials told him earlier this week that they had
wrapped up their civil rights investigation against Marine Cpl. Clemente
Banuelos and would take no further action.

The decision came after a federal grand jury in Pecos investigating the
shooting concluded its work, issuing no indictments. Banuelos fired the
shot that killed Hernandez as the youth was tending to his herd of goats.

"The shooting death of Esequiel Hernandez remains troubling," said Smith,
who has questioned the Border Patrol's role.

A Justice spokeswoman declined to comment.

Banuelos' lawyer didn't return a call.

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