Judge Hugo Molina takes cognizance of Uchuraccay case
The investigating judge of Huamanga, Hugo Molina, became aware of the Uchuraccay massacre case on January 30, 1983, the day the bodies were exhumed. Due to serious irregularities committed during the beginning of the process, Judge Molina was removed from the case on February 2 by the Superior Court of Ayacucho.
On January 30, 1983, the investigating judge of Huamanga, Dr. Hugo Molina, took cognizance of the case of the Uchuraccay massacre, even though Uchuraccay was not in his jurisdiction. That same day the bodies of the murdered journalists were exhumed. Judge Molina took cognizance of the case by order of General Clemente Noel Moral, who instructed PIP Colonel Victor Pizarro de los Santos to send an official letter to the judge requesting that his office take cognizance of the case and proceed with the exhumation, due to the absence of the examining magistrate of Huanta and the arrival of experts from Lima. During this first judicial diligence, strong evidence of the crime was found, such as an axe with remains of blood and a pot with blood and remains of encephalic mass in the house of the Lieutenant Governor, Fortunato Gavilán, although no immediate arrests were made.