Temporary detention without bail on notice for a potential murder charge marked a tense start to a case that has gripped the region. José Antonio Justel, 44, a resident of Leon, was fatally beaten during a violent incident that played out in the Fomento area near Gijón. Two young suspects from nearby towns were held at the Asturias Prison Centre after spending their first night in custody, following a magistrate’s order based on the strength of available evidence, the seriousness of the act, and concerns about flight risk. Both defendants are facing serious accusations as the investigation progresses, and legal counsel indicated they might seek a private attorney as the process unfolds. One defendant, AGG, 30, from Gijón, maintained his silence, while the other, BHM, 27, from Avilés, claimed he could not recall the events after a day of heavy drinking related to a family gathering. He noted his intoxication began in the afternoon.
In the early hours, the two suspects arrived at the courthouse in a small bus after leaving the first police station where they were detained the previous Wednesday by units specializing in violent crime. BHM was traced to the Avilés neighborhood of Llaranes, and AGG to Santa Bárbara. Family members waited near the courthouse for updates, and eyewitness accounts and hotel surveillance footage are shaping the accountability narrative around who bears responsibility for the fatal beating.
Despite the growing body of evidence, both suspects exercised their right to remain silent during police questioning. AGG offered no remarks, and his attorney did not participate in the session. It is likely he will choose a private lawyer for the remainder of the case. BHM, represented by Luis Tuero, declined to engage with the judge and the prosecutor, stating he remembered nothing beyond an earlier claim of heavy drinking since noon to celebrate a family event. He also mentioned there were no narcotics involved, though investigators remain focused on the sequence of events that led to the beating.
Attorney Tuero acknowledged the concern of the detainees and their families as the case moved forward. He argued that the attack appears to have originated outside a nightclub, and until the facts are fully established it would be premature to label the incident as murder. He cited video from the nightclub showing BHM delivering a first blow to Justel as the victim stood on Marqués de San Esteban Avenue, with a subsequent seven-second sequence that appears to escalate the confrontation. Tuero emphasized that the available footage should be weighed carefully in determining intent and responsibility.
No kicks were thrown
The court ordered the two suspects detained based on the evidence presented by the Public Prosecutor’s Office. The judge noted the seriousness of the case and the potential penalties involved, citing a clear risk of flight given the defendants’ prior attempts to evade authorities after Justel’s death. The defendants were subsequently moved to the Asturias Prison Centre after a full day of proceedings. The presiding judge’s decision awaits review by the president of the Court of Investigation No. 5.
Another key development was the lifting of summary confidentiality on the police operation, a move that broadens access to details of the case, including the outcome of phone taps conducted as part of the investigation. The release of the police report and witness statements allows defense teams and prosecutors to prepare strategic responses as the inquiry continues.
The police operation near the Palace of Justice drew massive attention from relatives and friends of those involved. A coordinated show of force by the Prevention and Response Unit and several patrols helped maintain order during the six-hour operation. BHM’s lawyer, Tuero, was the primary point of contact with the press, while the day closed without incident.
Video evidence from the nightclub surveillance remains central to the case. It records the moment Justel is punched by BHM, followed by the larger sequence of punches that led to the fatal attack as the victim moved away from the venue onto the street. The actions of AGG are less clearly captured on the footage, though eyewitness accounts describe participation in the broader altercation. The footage could prove decisive in determining whether the blows were intended to cause death, a factor that could elevate charges to murder during the investigation phase.
The victim, José Antonio Justel Alonso, sustained critical injuries at the scene and passed away later. After Justel’s death, the suspects fled to different locations before being located by the National Police, with a search warrant supported by evidence at the time of arrest. Both defendants have a prior history in the region, though neither had prior prison terms, according to local reporting. They remained in temporary detention as the case proceeded.
The judge’s decision yesterday aimed to ensure that justice is pursued and that the defendants face appropriate penalties should they be found guilty. The victim’s family, choosing to pursue private representation, continued to seek accountability and closure. Expressions of support and remembrance for Justel have poured in from the Leon area, including colleagues and community members who described him as a kind and helpful person. A funeral was held in Santa Marina del Rey, and flowers were placed at the site of the incident as a final gesture of respect.