The court found the man guilty of murder beyond reasonable doubt in Alicante for an incident that occurred last March. The deliberation took only two hours before the verdict was read in court. From the outset, the defendant acknowledged the facts and contributed a substantial payment to the victim’s family. The jury noted the defendant’s cooperation with authorities and his attempt to make amends, which influenced the mitigation of his sentence.
In applying these mitigating circumstances, the Prosecutor’s Office requested a reduced sentence. The original request called for a lengthy prison term, but the sentence was substantially shortened by the court after the verdict. The verdict convicted the defendant of treason, manslaughter, and illegal possession of weapons. The defense and the prosecutor negotiated during the trial with the aim of securing a lighter sentence in exchange for the defendant’s cooperation in resolving the case.
While the defense agreed to the detention requested by the prosecutor, the lawyer representing the dead man’s widow and two children continues to advocate for a longer term, seeking a sentence near 22 years plus substantial compensation for the family. The opposing counsel representing the victim’s extended family requested fines and damages to reflect the harm caused by the crime.
The incident unfolded around 15:37 on March 1 on Alonso Cano Street in Alicante. The 54-year-old victim was approaching his car with his wife when the suspect opened fire from his own vehicle, firing five shots. Three of the bullets struck the victim, who died at the scene. The weapon used was a deactivated Smith & Wesson pistol. The defendant surrendered to authorities a few days after the event, admitting responsibility from the very start.
Cooperation with Justice
The jury relied on the defendant’s confession and on testimony from his cousin and the arresting officers, all of whom corroborated the defendant’s involvement. The court highlighted that the suspect turned himself in and surrendered the firearm despite knowing that failure to do so could carry a higher penalty. The firearm used had previously been unregistered and the serial number had been defaced.
The sequence of events reportedly began with a long-standing dispute. It involved a prior altercation in the Cádiz area and a confrontation that started over a car dispute. Reports indicate the rift escalated when the defendant sought to resolve tensions with the other party by settling through force, ultimately leading to the fatal shooting on a public street. The defendant later fled the scene to avoid retaliation and directed a relative to report the incident to the police, with the understanding that he would surrender in the following days. This surrender occurred in a public area near a well-known furniture store in Murcia, marking the culmination of the defendant’s attempt to resolve the situation through official channels.