Last week the Murcia Instruction Court No. 3 heard testimony from those who had been central to the events following the deadly fire. Thirteen people lost their lives in the incident that occurred on October 1. This Tuesday, the investigation continued and two more suspects appeared before the examining judge: the theatre manager, Juan English Redand, and the facility operator, Eva Martínez, sister of businessman Marco Martínez, who had been in the Caribbean and returned to the territory. The first witness did not testify; the other pointed a finger at the DJ.
The first to take the stand on Tuesday was Eva Martínez. She stressed that the theatre held proper permits for that night and that a formal contract existed for the event. DJ Carlos R. organized the We Remember party, during which the cold-fire machine was used and the fatal blaze started. Martínez argued that Carlos R. was responsible for organizing every element related to the night, including safety decisions.
According to the DJ’s lawyer, Raúl Pardo-Geijo, his client did not organize the party but simply served as the DJ. He was in charge of playing music and coordinating with other DJs, while responsibilities such as lighting, beverage sales, and security rested with the venue management. In his view, Carlos R. bore no liability for the incident, regardless of whether the owner hired him or not, since the activity was not deemed hazardous and did not require special licenses or permits.
Fonda Milagros continues to be a focal point of discussion as coverage notes the venue was illuminated on Sunday, October 1. The photographer credited is Miguel Martinez.
The lawyer stressed that a document dating from 2019 was presented, although the person responsible offered Tuesday a contract allegedly signed by the DJ that released Teatre from liability for damages. The DJ reportedly requested that this clause be removed from future contracts, arguing that it is illegal to assume responsibility for events across three separate parties celebrated in 2023.
Eva Martínez appeared at the court wearing sunglasses and a mask to conceal her face. She answered only questions from her lawyer, Jose Maria Caballero Salinas. Upon leaving, the attorney stated that everything in the club was in order. Caballero Salinas also represents Juan Inglés Rojo, who exercised his right to express himself. Rojo attempted to shield his face with a mask and cap and was evasive with the gathered media.
Another lawyer, Francisco Javier Verdú, representing InnAfter, noted that the Teatre operator affirmed that all the club’s documents were in order, even as he acknowledged that in the days after the fire the Murcia City Council had issued an order to halt the club’s operation but that the order was not executed. Verdú emphasized the ongoing tension between the club’s stated compliance and the municipal halt.
On Tuesday of the following week, Marco Martínez—the defendant who previously filed a criminal complaint—will be summoned to testify as a party to the proceedings. Martínez, a prominent figure in the nightlife sector, has faced investigations by the National Police and has interests on the Caribbean island of Margarita, where he reportedly started another beach club venture. He has long been associated with a string of nightlife venues in the district, including ZM, El Palmero, Splash, Flamingo, and Teatre. His return to the region came in the wake of the tragedy that claimed thirteen lives, marking the first major coverage by this newspaper since the incident.
Following that, the next Tuesday, February 13, the person responsible for Fonda, the establishment where the thirteen bodies were found, will be called to testify.