The moment has arrived. An anticipated trial schedule begins Monday, June 13, focusing on the alleged serial killer Jorge Ignacio PJaccused Arliene Ramos, Lady Marcela Vargas, and their involvement in a series of murders. The case also involves the complicity of others who were connected to Martha Bald and those who allegedly attempted to harm eight additional women during a span of fifteen and a half months. Authorities allege the suspect managed a high-purity cocaine operation while deceiving victims through the acts of deception and coercion.
The defendant, who has retained a calm, restrained demeanor in recent days, is confronting three charges of life imprisonment that are subject to review, along with additional long-term imprisonment for years ahead. The crimes attributed to him include rape and drug trafficking, linked to eleven victims in total.
An oral hearing, as anticipated, is set to unfold in a series of eleven mini-trials overseen by the presiding magistrate. Proceedings will run for five weeks, from June 13 to July 15, with witnesses, experts, and law enforcement officers contributing to a coordinated presentation of the case.
15 women and 11 men aged 21 to 66
The initial session, reserved for the formation of the People’s Court, will determine whether nine jurors will be chosen, with two alternates present who may attend but not speak or vote unless called upon by officials. The prosecutor notes four special charges on behalf of eleven femicide victims, including three completed cases and eight attempted assaults, with the defense expected to present a keynote and interim results.
The youngest participant is 21, and the oldest is 66
The first crucial step is selecting the trial judges. A pool of 36 candidates drawn on March 21 has been narrowed to 26 after initial vetting. On Monday, those 26 will join the Tirant lo Blanc I chamber for the oral hearing, with nine chosen by lottery. The group comprises 15 women and 11 men, ranging from 21 to 66 years old. The youngest candidates are both 21, while the oldest includes a 57-year-old woman and a 66-year-old man.
Each candidate will undergo a concise interview because lawyers must determine jury eligibility and whether the jurors can adjudicate the Jorge Ignacio PJ case without relying on outside information gleaned from media.
In this case, all charges—public and private—are treated as a single block. The prosecutor and four lawyers—Pilar Jove, Juan Carlos Navarro, Vicente Escribano, and Candela Estevez—will argue the four challenges they intend to pursue, aiming to identify any potential prejudices that could affect the jurors.
The defense attorney, Navarro Mary Herrerayou, holds the same number of challenges, four, but since she is the sole lawyer representing the defense in this block, there is no need for negotiation with other counsel if she opts to exercise them.
Provisional defenses and consequences
Following the completion of the juror selection, the magistrate will announce the opening of the oral hearing, which will be open to the public. The defendant will then be escorted from detention to the courtroom by National Police officers. For the first time since November 8, 2019, Marta Calvo’s mother will be able to face the proceedings directly. However, she will only be able to observe from a designated corridor until her witness appearance on the calendar, scheduled for June 29.
As the proceedings proceed, each party will present claims—the prosecutor detailing the charges, followed by the defense—before the newly formed jury. Interim results will be read or presented as the case unfolds.
Specific charges and the potential for permanent imprisonment
The charges rest on the assertion that the defendant killed more than two people and exploited the vulnerability of the victims. The prosecution argues that the alleged serial killer is responsible for multiple deaths (three femicides) and that the victims were particularly vulnerable. The plan is to seek a permanent prison sentence in response to the gravity of the crimes and the impact on families. The defense, as expected, maintains innocence and contends that none of the charged crimes—murders, sexual assaults, or drug trafficking—took place.
Throughout the proceedings, the court will assess the long-term penalties and potential financial compensation to the families involved. The landscape of the case remains dynamic as testimony, expert analysis, and documentary evidence are presented. Pathways to resolution will depend on the jurors’ assessment of the credibility of witnesses and the strength of the evidence presented by both sides.