The Criminal Chamber issued a verdict that upheld the Valencia Community High Court of Justice’s judgment, denying the defendant’s appeal. The original sentence, handed down by the Alicante Court, was reduced from 18 to 16 years. The convictions include two counts of attempted murder, a charge of illegal possession of weapons, and a count relating to public health concerns. The Supreme Court also confirmed a two-year sentence for his son.
The events unfolded on 22 May 2019 at the father’s residence, where potential buyers, including the son and daughter-in-law, were viewing items belonging to the son. Marijuana was stored in bags, and material was produced on a farm adjacent to the home to monitor quality and supply.
Conversations over the price and amount of marijuana led to a confrontation. The father held a semi-automatic pistol, and as the deal deteriorated, he opened fire toward the buyers. The son, in turn, brandished a shotgun but did not fire a shot.
escape during the attempt
Two buyers fled the residence and were struck by bullets. Had timely intervention not occurred, the injuries could have proved fatal. In the wake of the incident, Civil Guards seized 194 cannabis plants.
During the trial, the father admitted responsibility for the events but claimed it was self-defense, arguing that the buyers intended to confiscate marijuana cultivated to treat his wife’s fibromyalgia symptoms. He asserted that the purpose was to protect his spouse from pain, invoking a plea tied to medical necessity.
According to the defense statements, the defendant indicated that 194 plants, weighing about 10 kilograms in total, were cultivated in a greenhouse and an indoor warehouse prepared for cultivation; he claimed the buyers had come to purchase drugs.
The judges rejected this assertion as implausible, describing as incomprehensible the idea that the entire operation was meant for the preparation of lotions with alcohol and marijuana to ease his wife’s pain. The court’s assessment emphasized the seriousness of the armed confrontation and the broader context of illegal drug production and distribution.
In summary, the court found the sequence of events consisted of an attempted murder linked to the sale of cannabis, illegal weapon possession, and related public health concerns. The appellate process maintained the core findings, upholding the penalties established by the lower court and reinforcing the seriousness of the criminal conduct that led to the victims’ injuries while also addressing accompanying legal issues. The case highlights the complexities that arise at the intersection of criminal violence and illicit drug trade, as reflected in the rulings and the broader legal interpretation of self-defense allegations within such circumstances. [Source: official court records; corroborating notes from law enforcement proceedings.]