4 charged in deadly Brazil nightclub fireBy Lateef Mungin and Marilia Brocchetto, CNN

CNN) -- Prosecutors this week indicted four people connected to a deadly blaze at a Brazilian nightclub that left hundreds dead.

The four suspects now face homicide and attempted homicide charges in connection with the January inferno at the Kiss nightclub in Santa Maria, Brazil, prosecutors said.

The suspects were identified as club owners Elissandro Spohr and Mauro Hoffman, vocalist Marcelo de Jesus dos Santos, and show producer Luciano Bonilha.

Inside of destroyed nightclub revealed

Deadly blazes: Nightclub tragedies in recent history

The musicians are accused of using pyrotechnics that they knew were for outdoor use to save money, prosecutors said. The club owners are accused of allowing an overcrowded, dangerous environment that added to the deadly outcome, prosecutors said.

The nightclub was filled well beyond its legal capacity with the crowd of 2,000 people, who packed the club to hear the band play.

When the fire raged the crowd panicked, broke into a stampede, and clogged the club's the only exit.

Authorities have said that at least 235 people died in the blaze and many others were critically injured.

A grisly crime surges into spotlight as Mexico shifts drug war strategy

By Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN

updated 11:50 PM EDT, Thu March 28, 2013

(CNN) -- It was a staggering sight, even in a Mexican city that has seen its share of violence in recent years as drug-related crimes surged.

Seven bodies sat slumped in white plastic chairs placed near a central plaza in Uruapan, Mexico.

Local media reported messages were left behind, written on poster board and pinned to some of the victims' bodies with icepicks.

The men appeared to have been killed by gunfire, and investigators believe organized crime groups are to blame, Mexico's state-run Notimex news agency said. Investigators haven't provided details about who they suspect was responsible or why they targeted the men -- windshield washers and farm workers, according to Notimex.

Mexican congressman Ricardo Monreal delivers a speech prior to the Mexican president's inauguration on December 1.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• A group of suspected hitmen are arrested in Mexico City
• They are accused of plotting to kill two brothers who are lawmakers
• Authorities did not reveal a possible motive

(CNN) -- Mexican authorities say they've foiled a plot to assassinate two lawmakers.

A group of suspected hitmen was arrested at a Mexico City hotel and accused of planning to kill Rep. Ricardo Monreal and Sen. David Monreal, brothers who are both federal legislators, Mexico's Attorney General's Office said.

Authorities did not reveal a possible motive or specify how many people were arrested.

Both lawmakers are from Mexico's Zacatecas state.