The sentencing in Seville marks a continuation of a long and closely watched legal saga surrounding Marta del Castillo. In this latest development, the Criminal Court No. Seven handed down a two-year prison term to Francisco Javier García, known as El Cuco, for perjury. The court also found his mother guilty of concealing information connected to the 2009 murder case, in relation to her role as a witness during the 2011 proceedings against the adults charged with the crime. The decision reflects the court’s assessment of the seriousness of the perjury and the need to uphold the integrity of the judicial process in high-profile criminal investigations.
During the press conference that followed, the parents of Marta del Castillo expressed a sense of pride in the judgment. They welcomed the court’s decision to apply the maximum sentence permissible for the perjury charge, recognizing that the facts as presented warranted a firm response from the judiciary. Their remarks underscored the belief that truthful testimony is essential in resolving complex murder cases and in ensuring that justice can be administered without interference from false statements.
The 2011 trial, which involved the adults charged with Marta del Castillo’s murder, resulted in Miguel Carcaño being convicted as the principal perpetrator. Several co-defendants, including a friend and others linked to the case, were acquitted. The parents explained that the perjury allegations against El Cuco and his mother were linked to testimonies given during that trial, which ultimately shaped the outcomes for the adults involved. They stressed that some party statements appeared to be inaccurate and misrepresented the sequence of events surrounding the crime as it unfolded in 2009 and 2010.
According to the Del Castillo family, the acquittals in the 2011 proceedings were influenced by what they described as false or misleading testimony provided by El Cuco during the witness box. This interpretation remains a point of contention for the family, who believe that the truth about the murder case has not been fully acknowledged. The defendants, for their part, had accepted the facts as presented by the Prosecutor’s Office during the proceedings against El Cuco on May 26 and 27, but Antonio del Castillo noted a reluctance to answer certain questions. He suggested that Cuco might possess deeper information about the criminal events, while also expressing concern that those close to the case may still be shielding elements of the truth.
In comments that reflected a desire for direct communication, Antonio del Castillo proposed that if El Cuco sought information, they could discuss matters privately. He stated that no witnesses were strictly necessary for clarity and that a private conversation could potentially lead to an agreement. This stance illustrated the emotional and strategic complexity that often accompanies high-stakes murder cases, where families seek resolution while the legal process unfolds in court. The mother of Marta del Castillo, Eva Casanueva, and other relatives have repeatedly called for accountability and transparency as the judicial process continues to address past testimonies and their impact on the case.
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