During the year, the case of Hernandez Leyva, the biggest...

During the year, the case of Hernandez Leyva, the biggest multiple-murder in recent history, split the residents of a southern Mexico city over the issue of the death penalty. Hernandez Leyva was arrested as a suspect in kidnappings, robberies and as many as 135 murders in five southern Mexican states. Victims' families shouted for the death penalty to be imposed on Leyva. Prosecutor Jose Leonardo Castillo Pombo said he opposed the death penalty, but added that "if the country is legally prepared to apply it, Mexicans should hold a referendum, so that public opinion can decide."