Mexico judge takes leave after article resurfaces about him killing a woman in 1984

Apparently background checks didn't impede a man convicted of a form of manslaughter from becoming the chief justice of the western Mexico state of Jalisco.

Chief magistrate Luis Carlos Vega took a leave of absence Thursday after the newspaper Reforma published a June 1984 newspaper clipping saying Vega ran over a woman and killed her while driving a stolen car.

Vega called the death an "unfortunate incident from my youth" in a letter posted by the Jalisco Supreme court.

He said he was convicted of a charge equivalent to recklessly causing death, injury and damages. Such convictions were often punished by reparation payments, which Vega said he made. He did not mention the alleged car theft.

Vega added: "There are second chances and I took mine."