Drug use in prisons is often treated as a security issue, but it remains clear that addiction persists within Spanish facilities. Last year, Spain recorded a notable number of overdoses among inmates, and a high-profile case in Zaragoza drew attention to how addiction intersects with criminal proceedings. Rubén Calvo Ropero, a 32-year-old detainee, reportedly consumed a substance powerful enough to render him unconscious while sitting on a bench. A coroner later suggested his testimony could not be relied upon, and the scheduled jury trial was postponed to a later date.
From the moment he arrived at the District Court of Justice in Zaragoza, authorities reportedly found the accused in a drowsy state. National Police officers helped remove him from the vehicle and escorted him to a holding area. Once in the courtroom, he struggled to remain upright on the bench, indicating he was in poor condition. He had previously indicated an intention to testify about an alleged stabbing of his former partner Katia in May 2021 in Zaragoza’s Las Fuentes district. Esperanza de Pedro, the head of the jury court, asked whether the defendant would present his own interpretation of events, a possibility that could have led to a lengthy prison sentence, but he remained silent and appeared overwhelmed. A defense attorney pressed the point, noting the defendant’s long-standing issues with drug addiction and mental health since adolescence, and attempted to wake him for questioning. The moment underscored the tension between mental health, substance use, and the truth-seeking process in a courtroom setting.
It was a scene that surprised those present and even the presiding judge, who requested an expert opinion from the Aragon Institute of Forensic Medicine and Forensic Sciences (IML-CFA) to assess the feasibility of obtaining testimony from Rubén Calvo Ropero. The coroner, María Luisa Tomás, concluded that the defendant appeared unaware of his surroundings. After examination, the expert noted that the neurobiological effects of his prescribed mental health medications did not appear to account for his condition, implying the possible use of a toxin or illicit substance.
During questioning, Rubén Calvo Ropero claimed to be disoriented before appearing before the investigating judge, stating that he could not recall the events surrounding the incident. His defense argued that the defendant’s mental state and history of substance use would shape the defense strategy, including potential arguments about diminished responsibility. The public prosecutor and the defense debated whether a mental disorder might mitigate responsibility, with the public ministry considering that a possible psychotic episode could lessen culpability, while also weighing aggravating factors such as gender-based violence, sentence violations, and prior offenses.
While the Prosecutor’s Office seeks a 23-year sentence, regional authorities in Aragon have pushed for 26 years as some public supporters have demanded. A compensation claim totaling 213,990 euros for the deceased’s son and mother was added to the request. On the night of the fatal confrontation, the accused allegedly contacted Katia and invited her to his home, claiming poor health. She agreed and went to a residence on Leopoldo Romeo Street, where a confrontation ensued that ended with the stabbing. The force of the assault was so severe that it damaged the blades of the knives involved.
The prosecution emphasizes that Katia had no effective means to defend herself, being alone in a small room when the fatal attack occurred. Neighbors reported screams, and police were alerted by 091 calls. Despite repeated attempts by law enforcement, the defendant did not open the door, reportedly yelling from the doorway, “Son of a bitch, it was your fault.” He subsequently fled from a higher floor of the building but did not end his own life. He remains in custody awaiting further proceedings.