Aitor GP, identified as the primary defendant, faced trial in Barcelona on Friday as the case of Janet Jumillas, a 39-year-old mother who disappeared in March 2019 in Cornella de Llobregat, returned to the courtroom. Jumillas’s body was found two months later, buried in a field near El Prat de Llobregat. The Barcelona Court began proceedings with the selection of a popular jury to hear the case, which centers on alleged treacherous murder and related charges.
The prosecution sought a nineteen-year sentence for Aitor GP and urged the court to impose five years of probation in addition to the base term. The request also included compensation to Jumillas’s family ranging from eighty thousand to four hundred thousand euros, reflecting the gravity of the crime and its impact on loved ones.
In response, the special prosecutor’s office pushed for a twenty-five-year prison term for the defendant. The defense, meanwhile, asked either for outright acquittal or, alternatively, for a conviction on a lesser offense, such as murder by an explosive device, with considerations of drug addiction factors that could mitigate responsibility.
According to the provisional indictment, authorities allege that Aitor GP spent the morning of March 13, 2019, with Jumillas at the defendant’s residence. During this meeting, sources report that the victim arrived at a prearranged location and was assaulted with one or more blunt weapons. The prosecution asserts that Jumillas died from the assault, which produced severe injuries and a fatal loss of blood.
The case intensified as authorities described the attack as shocking and violent, culminating in death from hypovolemic shock as the wounds proved fatal. The court has since heard testimony and scrutinized the timeline of events surrounding Jumillas’s death.
Jail and investigation timeline
The defendant was apprehended on May 7, 2019, and has remained in temporary detention since May 9, 2019.
On May 21, 2019, sanitation workers discovered Jumillas’s body buried in a field in El Prat de Llobregat, bringing closure to a disappearance that had unsettled the local community. This discovery prompted renewed attention to the case as prosecutors outlined links to ongoing criminal activity observed in the area.
At the time of her death, Jumillas was the mother of two young children who were living with her. Prosecutors noted that the case included additional allegations related to drug trafficking, suggesting that Jumillas may have encountered Aitor GP after traveling from Viladecans to Cornellà de Llobregat to settle a debt tied to illegal drugs.
Prosecutors argued that the suspect could have traveled to collect money connected to the alleged drug trade. The defense maintained that there were no witnesses to Jumillas’s death and that the defendant consistently maintained his innocence throughout the investigation.
Outside the court, Jumillas’s relatives gathered to seek justice. They spoke about the profound loss and the impact of the crime on their lives, underscoring the enduring pain that accompanies such tragedies.
From the relatives’ perspective, a lighter sentence would not restore the life lost, yet they hope for a verdict that reflects the seriousness of the crime and provides a sense of accountability.
In the broader context, this case has raised ongoing concerns about violence, family safety, and the role of the justice system in addressing crimes that affect communities in the Catalonia region. Observers note how the legal process aims to balance accountability with due process, as families and supporters await a determination that delivers closure while upholding legal standards. (Source: Barcelona Court proceedings, local reporting, and official filings.)