In Arona, Court No. 4 convened at noon on Saturday to hear a detention hearing for Angel Martinez, an 83-year-old man accused of murdering his wife, Clotilde Rodriguez, in Los Cristianos the prior Wednesday afternoon. The hearing was conducted with detention without communication and without bail, focusing on the serious nature of the charges and the need to preserve evidence while the investigation continues. The proceedings took place in a jurisdiction attentive to the safety of all parties involved, particularly within a context of reported violence within the home.
Officials from the regional judicial system have indicated that the case involves alleged ill-treatment and another possible homicide with aggravating factors. These factors include betrayal, since the victim reportedly did not have an opportunity to defend herself, a family relationship between the accused and the victim, and gender-based considerations that heighten the severity of the alleged acts. The court has noted the relevance of these elements in determining the appropriate steps moving forward in the case.
According to information from the Canary Islands High Court of Justice, it is anticipated that the case may be transferred in the near term to the Violence Against Women Court within the southern Tenerife jurisdiction. Such a transfer would align the matter with specialized procedures designed to address crimes of gender-based violence, ensuring that the case is handled by judges with particular expertise and access to relevant protective measures for victims.
Investigators from the National Police, operating within the South Tenerife Judicial Police Brigade, have assembled field results relating to the marital history that indicate a pattern of abuse spanning several years. The documentation suggests that Clotilde endured ongoing physical and psychological harm during the period of the relationship with the accused. These findings are part of the broader investigative record that will inform the court’s assessment as the case progresses.
At the same time, authorities have noted that the victim did not report the abuse while she was alive, and there was no publicly available police or criminal record of gender-based violence prior to the incident. This point underscores the complexities often present in investigations of domestic violence, where victims may hesitate to come forward or seek protection until a critical incident occurs.
Preliminary accounts indicate that last Wednesday afternoon, Ángel Martínez allegedly inflicted multiple stab wounds on his wife. The couple resided together at a long-held vacation apartment on Los Playeros street, near the Nuestra Señora del Carmen church in Los Cristianos. The details of the dwelling and its surroundings have been noted in the course of the inquiry as the investigators seek to reconstruct the sequence of events and establish a clear evidentiary record for the upcoming proceedings. Marks on the scene and any available forensic findings will contribute to the court’s understanding of what happened and the timeline of the incident.
As the investigation continues, legal representatives and court observers will monitor the progression of this case. The prioritization of safety, due process, and adherence to the applicable legal framework remains central to the handling of all aspects connected with this matter. The evolving nature of the proceedings may prompt further procedural movements, including potential decisions on jurisdiction, the assignment of a specialized panel, and the sequencing of any future hearings. The broader context highlights the ongoing effort to address domestic violence with judicial rigor while safeguarding the rights of all parties involved. [Citation: El Día]