Group seeks info. on illegal accused of killing nun

December 6, 2010 - 4:44am


WASHINGTON - A conservative watchdog group has filed a lawsuit against the federal government seeking information about an illegal alien accused of killing a nun while driving drunk.

The D.C.-based group Judicial Watch is suing the Department of Homeland Security to obtain records related to Carlos Martinelly-Montano. The Bolivian immigrant was in the country illegally and awaiting a deportation hearing when authorities say his car collided with a vehicle carrying three nuns.

Sister Denise Mosier died in the August crash, while two other nuns were critically injured. Martinelly-Montano -- who allegedly was driving drunk at the time of the incident and has been indicted on murder charges -- had two prior drunken driving convictions.

Judicial Watch in October requested a report on a DHS investigation into the removal proceedings against Martinelly-Montano, but has not received the information.

The group says a response was legally due by Nov. 26. While Martinelly-Montano's trouble with the law and immigration authorities began during the Bush administration, the group says the Obama administration has failed to move the case forward.

"However, to date, DHS has failed to provide any records responsive to the request or to demonstrate why the records should be withheld, prompting Judicial Watch's lawsuit," the group says in a release regarding the suit.

Homeland Security officials already have refused to expedite a request by Prince William County for the same information.

"People want to see a federal government that is open," says Prince William County Board of Supervisors Chairman Corey Stewart, who has been trying to keep attention on the case.

Stewart says the information is about more than just Martinelly-Montano's specific case. He says it's needed now in order to prepare for a possible investigation once Republicans take control of Congress next month.

"This is not solely the fault of the Obama administration or the Bush administration," he says. "There is a built-in problem in our federal government."

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