Daniel N.I., a man from Campos del Río, who in 2022 faced accusations after a neighbor’s dog Lola was killed by a kick, will stand trial for allegedly threatening a woman with a machete. The case has drawn attention in the town as residents revisit the events surrounding that moment of confrontation.
The incident occurred on the day a protest gathering was organized at Daniel’s home to express anger over the pet’s death. The victim reported to authorities that she was near a window when she saw the man, in what she described as an act of betrayal, produce a large cutting tool from a window slit on two occasions and, at the same time, utter the words, “I will kill you.”
She added that the machete stood only a few inches from her face and that, thanks to a timely move, she was not injured. The neighbor also stated she believed there were witnesses to the event and that she feared for her life.
“It was just a window blind rod”
Yet Valentín Fernández, Daniel’s attorney, contends that there is no truth to the claim that his client threatened anyone with a knife. He asserts that what was displayed was a rod from a broken window blind.
According to the accused’s account, a group had been striking the window blinds; he opened the window, picked up a rod that had been broken, and some bystanders started shouting that he had drawn a weapon.
“Beyond ruined lives, this is a false accusation,” laments the defense lawyer
“On top of having had his life disrupted, now there is a false report and a case to contest”, the attorney said. He plans to present a video in court showing a Civil Guard officer standing near the residence at the time of the incident and not intervening. The lawyer argues that the officer’s presence indicates that no weapon was drawn, because if a knife had been brandished, the officer would have acted.
The claim is backed by the defense’s plan to submit evidence and testimonies that cast doubt on the prosecution’s version of events.
Cited on May 20
Daniel N.I., 40 years old, faces charges for a minor offense of threats. He is scheduled to appear at the Court of First Instance and Instruction No. 1 of Mula on the forthcoming date in May.
There is also a pending case related to the pet’s death that had a significant impact on the Campos del Río community. After the incident, the man reportedly left town for another municipality. His attorney acknowledges the strong local sentiment and fears that crowds of neighbors may gather at the courthouse doors when the next hearing arrives. The situation has left residents divided, with some calling for due process while others express lasting distrust based on the events and their aftermath.
In summary, the case centers on disputed perceptions of threat, the sequence of actions during a tense moment, and the broader effects on a small community facing a difficult, emotionally charged incident.
According to court observers, the next steps will hinge on witness accounts, surveillance material, and expert analysis of the actual objects involved. The proceedings are expected to clarify whether a weapon was displayed in the moment described or if other objetos were mistaken for a threatening tool. Public interest remains high as residents await definitive legal resolution and the implications for community safety and trust in local authorities. (Citation: local news reports and court filings in Campos del Río and Mula.)