Madrid Provincial Court recently ruled on a case involving an 86-year-old man accused of murdering his 81-year-old wife in 2021. It was reported that the husband, believed to be mentally ill at the time, struck his wife with a hammer more than fourteen times during the attack.
In a decision under Article 26, which became final due to the parties waiving their right to appeal, the court ordered the suspension of the defendant’s temporary detention and his transfer to a detention center attached to Penal Institutions. The judge determined that Eduardo G., the man charged with murder, would remain in custody only for up to twelve years to allow for appropriate treatment of his condition, given aggravating factors such as gender and the familial relationship.
The possibility exists for release from this measure before the deadline if medical documentation shows that the illness no longer poses a risk to others, or if the defendant resides with people who can monitor his condition and detect any decompensation.
Additionally, the defendant was ordered to pay compensation of 150,000 euros to one of the deceased’s three children, who was the sole applicant for and responsible for the procedural costs.
The chamber held that the defendant decided to end his wife’s life on the afternoon of June 15, 2021. To carry out the act, he took a hammer from a toolbox and, without any intervention from his wife, struck her head repeatedly, aiming to harm her as severely as possible.
The victim managed to flee into the living room, but the husband continued the assault with extreme aggression, hitting her more than fourteen times while she screamed for help, requesting release and expressing fear that she was in danger.
The victim died at 2:30 a.m. the following day at the 12 de Octubre hospital in Madrid.
According to the judge, the suspect believed he had the right to impose his will during the marriage because he suspected infidelity. He also stated that protecting his grandchildren necessitated such action.
Evidence, as confirmed by the jury, showed that at the time of the crime the defendant suffered from jealous delusions that overrode his faculties. At the next hearing, following the people’s jury verdict on September 20, the prosecutor agreed to a full defense assessment, noting that the defendant’s abilities were compromised rather than removed. The maximum duration of the security measure was set at twelve years.
The defense attorney argued for acquittal from the outset.
Support services are available to assist victims of gender-based violence around the clock. Resources in multiple languages can be accessed through confidential channels for those who require help after being subjected to physical, psychological, sexual, or economic abuse. Urgent assistance may require contacting local emergency responders in critical situations.