“MONSTROUS AND ILLEGAL PROCEEDINGS”: LAW ...

Tristani then attempted to attack him, only to be restrained by several other men at the
scene. 88
The factional ties underpinning the very public collision between Parejas and Tristani
became clearer as the two men traded accusations in the press as to what had transpired at
the theater and courthouse. According to Parejas, when Real had conducted the jury
selection the day before, several potential jurors had recused themselves. He claimed that
Real had used this as a pretext to delay the proceeding. According to Parejas, Real then
“taking advantage of my desire that I had and still have to bring Tristany before the court of
the public . . . granted a delay to Rogelio Tristany, and in that act undermined the definitive
character of these proceedings according to the spirit and letter of the relevant laws.”
Parejas accused Real of delaying the proceeding because he wanted to protect his political
ally. He concluded by claiming that if “Tristany values his reputation and good name” he
will appear in the theater and submit to the “verdict of the entire town.” 89
Tristani responded by arguing that the incidents in the street following the aborted
proceeding had nothing to do with the dispute between the two men. Rather, Tristani
argued that “the Parejas question is a question of faction [partido], sustained by a circle that
exists here against the Gefe Político [Dionisio Trillo] and the Alcalde Ordinario [Pedro Real].” 90
Tristani argued that in effect, Parejas and his colorado allies were using a simple procedural
issue to attempt to discredit prominent blanco officials in order to advance their faction’s
larger goal of promoting disorder and violence.
In yet another article in Parejas’ newspaper, the colorados responded: “The question
of Mr. Parejas with Tristany has no other basis than to inform the authorities of their failure
88 Ibid.
89 Ibid.
90 Ibid., 2.
189