Biscay Court: 44-Year Prison Term for Triple Homicide and Related Sentencing Details
In a case centered on a family tragedy at a home in Abanto (Bizkaia), a man was sentenced to 44 years in prison for killing his wife and daughter in March 2020. The victims were found at their residence after investigators say the assailant used a mace to strike them and then proceeded to slit their throats, actions that shocked the local community and drew widespread attention to the case.
The ruling, as reported in ongoing coverage, notes aggravating factors linked to kinship and gender, which influenced the severity of the sentence. Following the prison term, the court also imposed a 10-year probation period. During this time, the individual is required to partake in training programs aimed at addressing gender-based violence, with the goal of reducing the risk of future offenses and supporting victims in the community.
An additional civil component accompanies the conviction: the court ordered 170,000 euros in compensation to the mothers and grandmothers of the victims. In a related financial settlement, three other male relatives received 40,000 euros each to cover non-pecuniary losses sustained as a result of the losses endured by the family, reflecting the court’s attempt to acknowledge the emotional impact on surviving relatives.
During the trial, the defendant admitted to murdering two women who were aged 56 and 24 at the time of their deaths. He claimed an inability to control his actions, describing the use of a demolition hammer to strike their heads before the killings. The testimony also indicated that the perpetrator later disclosed the events to members of his own family and then shifted responsibility to others in his circle.
The decision on the sentence remains subject to appeal. A path exists for challenging the verdict through the Civil and Criminal Division of the Basque Country’s Supreme Court of Justice (TSJPV), providing an avenue for review of the court’s findings and the imposed penalties.
For readers seeking a clearer perspective, this case illustrates how courts weigh kinship relationships and gender dynamics in serious violent crimes, how compensation is structured for surviving relatives, and the mechanisms available for appellate review within the Basque judicial system. The proceedings also underscore the role of probation conditions in the aftermath of a conviction, including mandated participation in educational programs intended to prevent gender-based violence and promote community safety. This framework demonstrates a broader commitment within the legal system to hold perpetrators accountable while offering pathways for rehabilitation and support for victims and their families. Source: Basque Country judicial reporting, with attribution to established news services