Homicide casefile from Mexico. With a paper replica of the murder weapon.

[Mexico] / [Homicide] / [Law]. [Case file for the homicide of Esteban Gomes]. San Juan del Río, Mexico: Compiled by several people, 1840. Folio [31.6 x 21.9 cm], [1] f. half-sheet coversheet, 29 ff., with f. 9 being a fold-out image of the murder weapon (sword). Stitched with original string, first and last leaves partially tied but still attached. Minor edge wear, the occasional minor stain, neatly written in several hands.
 
 
Unusual legal case file concerning the 1840 homicide of a certain Esteban Gomes in San Juan del Río, Mexico (Querétaro). The document is extraordinary in that it contains a folding cut-out of the murder weapon, a 65-centimeter sword, presented in its true dimensions. 
 
The accused killer was a certain José María Amador (I believe that this was not the famous California ranchero, gold miner, and soldier of the same name [1794-1883]). 
 
The report is written on the specially printed legal paper indicating to be used only in criminal cases, and each sheet is blind stamped with an official seal. Included are several signed statements taken from or written by witnesses, family members, officials prosecuting the case, etc.
 
Amador was judged to be guilty and was sentenced to ten years in the presidio in Vera Cruz.
 
An interesting document that would reward further study.