José Arcadio D.’s former partner, known as El Melillero, described the abuse she endured during her testimony at the hearing. She recalled persistent threats to her life and an acid attack that occurred in Cártama, Málaga, on January 12, 2021. He felt a sense of guilt and claimed that at that moment he observed her laughing with a certain, unsettling smile. This description came from his ex-girlfriend during the proceedings, illustrating the intensity of the coercive behavior she faced. (attribution: Malaga Court, Eighth Chamber; witness testimony)
In the case against El Melillero and five others, heard on Monday in the Eighth Chamber of the Malaga Court, Sandra spoke softly, sometimes crying, while seated out of sight, as she recounted the events tied to the acid attack and the broader pattern of abuse that left physical and psychological scars for both her and her friend Cristina. The testimonies underscored how the relationship, which had begun in May 2020, quickly became a source of fear and coercion. (attribution: Malaga Court proceedings)
The prime suspect’s ex-girlfriend described how the relationship escalated and how he begged her to stay, insisting she could not live without him and urging her to seek psychological support. She said the pressure and threats intensified as the days passed. (attribution: court testimony)
She recounted daily death threats and constant surveillance, with demands to know her whereabouts and attempts to access her mobile device. When the relationship ended in December, his behavior grew more alarming, prompting her to change her phone and relocate to Cártama out of fear that she would be found. (attribution: court records)
Despite the danger, she continued to receive threatening messages, including the creation of fake social media profiles, and she and Cristina noticed the defendant appearing in places where they were present. She denied authorizing any location-tracking device and emphasized that she felt compelled to distance herself because she was being pursued. (attribution: witness statements)
The day before the attack, the two women encountered the defendant and his companion in a car with another man, who warned, “This is the person who will take care of you.” They attempted to roll down the window, but the situation did not improve. According to the accounts, those with them threatened to sever their throats. (attribution: witness accounts)
On the day of the incident, the defendant drove the car again and Sandra described a surge of panic when they saw him. She recalled feeling something fall on her and a severe burning sensation as the substance was released. She managed to crack the window, though only slightly, and found it difficult to escape from the vehicle. (attribution: survivor testimony)
Her escape was fraught with struggle, and the aftermath required multiple surgeries over time. Initially, surgeons performed twelve operations, followed by eight more, with medical professionals warning that additional procedures would be necessary in the future. The injuries resulted in 45 percent of the total body surface being burned and left lasting consequences, including psychological distress, cosmetic damage, reduced quality of life, and an impediment to professional activity. Visual impairment and restricted mobility added to the long-term impact. (attribution: medical records)
Cristina, who also spoke without appearing on camera, confirmed that the threats continued whenever the two women met since the breakup, and she described the events of the acid attack. She said she could not identify who threw the substance, whether it was José Arcadio D. or the other man in the vehicle, but she observed El Melillero smiling with a look of satisfaction after the incident. The injuries to the woman were extensive, amounting to about 20 percent of her body surface and requiring several interventions; she was described as stable after the treatment. (attribution: witness statements)
Additionally, a protected witness testified, recounting seeing a car at a pedestrian crossing that day and another vehicle nearby. The witness described a figure exiting the driver’s window with a bag and throwing something toward the other car. The incident prompted several bystanders to react with alarm, and multiple witnesses provided corroborating details. (attribution: court testimony)
Further accounts indicated that two girls screamed and escaped from the vehicle after the substance was thrown, while the assailants fled the scene. The court heard further testimonies as the case moved forward, building a clearer picture of the sequence of events surrounding the attack and the alleged involvement of the defendants. (attribution: witness testimonies)