One of the prime suspects in the rape-slay of a 16-year-old college student, has tested negative for gunpowder nitrates, prompting the police to initially exclude him from the list of 15 possible culprits in the crime.

Chief Inspector Joseph Thomas Martir, Talisay police chief, yesterday said they immediately released Jose "Jigger" Besorio, stepfather of rape-slay victim Mary Joy Mayo, who was under police custody for four days. The other prime suspect who is a minor and leader of a gang, and who has been also invited for questioning, yesterday said he is willing to undergo a paraffin test, to prove his innocence.

Besorio and 13 others were subjected to paraffin testing after initial findings of the Talisay City Health Office revealed that Mayo had been shot twice, and molested by more than one person before she was killed. Talisay police probers suspect that Mayo was also gang-raped.

Martir said he is still waiting for the results of the paraffin tests of the other persons.

Besorio and the 17-year-old were tagged as the two prime suspects in the rape-slay of Mayo.

To prove his innocence, Besorio said he will even accompany the cadaver of his stepdaughter to Cuartero in Capiz, today.

The Revolutionary Proletarian Army- Alex Boncayao Brigade also assured help to the Talisay police in identifying the suspects.

Initial findings of the medico-legal officer of Talisay showed that Mayo was molested, had two gunshot wounds on her breast and right leg, and seven incise wounds in the forehead.

Her body was discovered half-naked, without her pants and underwear, in a sugarcane plantation of the place.*GPB

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