Bound For Jail Over 1973 Murder, Chile General Kills Self

Hernan Chacon, 85, was among seven former soldiers who had jail terms confirmed on Monday after an appeal.

A retired Chilean general killed himself on Tuesday before he could be jailed for the 1973 murder of beloved folk singer Victor Jara in the aftermath of a military coup that installed dictator Augusto Pinochet, the attorney general's office said.

Hernan Chacon, 85, was among seven former soldiers who had jail terms confirmed on Monday after an appeal.

When police went to his home to bring him to prison he "took a firearm, firing a shot that caused his death," prosecutor Claudio Suazo told reporters.