Overview of the Trial
Clad in the same clothing worn on the day of the crime, the defendant charged with the murder of a British octogenarian in a Elche housing estate has admitted solo responsibility for the killing at the start of the trial before a popular jury in the Provincial Court. The defendant stated that she suffered a psychotic episode, and after three gunshots she killed the victim, asserting that she did not know her at all. She has also absolved her son, who was a minor at the time of the events and who died in a car accident last June, one day before he was due to stand trial for murder in the juvenile court.
Madre and son were detained in Alicante the day after the crime occurred in the Torre Azul urbanization of Maitino, Elche, on May 4, 2022. For two years, the accused—who also attempted to destroy evidence by setting her car on fire in a blaze that spread to eight other vehicles parked on the street near San Juan beach—had remained silent and invoked her right not to testify. Her son had given incriminating statements immediately after being detained. Now she has confessed to everything.
The Public Prosecutor demands a 25-year sentence for murder with premeditation, plus an additional three years for the damage caused by the car fire. These penalties could be reduced following the confession during the trial, though the final adjustments will only be determined in the closing reports. The fire damages exceed 22,000 euros, claimed by the insurer through attorney Alejandro Dartis.
The prosecution warned during its report that the mere confession would not be enough since it could have saved the costs of the investigation if the defendant had cooperated with the authorities earlier. It also expressed skepticism about the alleged mental illness, citing no prior psychotic episodes and no subsequent crises. The defense attorney, Joaquín de Lacy, argued that there was no evidence against the defendant before the confession and that the investigation stalled for over a year, factors that could warrant applying mitigating circumstances.
Planning
Prosecutors suggest the crime was carefully planned. The defendant appeared in black with a hood and gloves purchased from a large sporting goods retailer. Her mobile phone was off during the critical hours, and the crime involved an Olympic-grade pistol registered in her name. The defense rejects the idea of planning, noting that she was simply dressed as she is often seen in court and that the gloves were bought because she felt cold. Regarding the phone, she claimed a problem prevented its use and denied that it had been turned off to avoid tracking, explaining that her son was in the car downloading TikTok videos on his phone. As for the gun, she said she forgetfully left it at hand since the previous weekend.
The defendant testified that she worked as a real estate agent and had been in the area looking at villas to sell to a client. According to her account, it was raining heavily, and she knocked on the victim’s door. The victim opened and a figure appeared in the dimly lit room, which caused her to react with three gunshots. She explained that a gray-haired person had been tailing her for months, driving her to a breaking point. “It must have been a psychotic episode, because I cannot explain what I did”, she said. Investigations had hinted at a real estate motive, but so far no link between the defendant and the victim has been established.
Three Shots and a Knife Stab
The victim, Mónica W., was an 81-year-old widow of British nationality who had lived in the development since 2014. She received three gunshot wounds, including a head shot, plus a stab wound to the underarm. The woman claimed sole responsibility for the three gunshots but said she did not remember the knife attack.
“My son was in the car the whole time”, she emphasized, noting she was in shock and drove away aimlessly. She later remembered not picking up the shell casings and decided to return to the house. On that visit, she entered with the minor to assist in dealing with the body.
At that moment, a plumber who had planned to quote on pool repairs arrived at the house. He found the defendant and her son inside; they had told him that Mónica had become indisposed and he should return the next day. He found the scene peculiar and waited, subsequently contacting the police. On entering the house again, he observed a large pool of blood and discovered the body concealed beneath a bed after the victim’s body had been moved from the main living area. The plumber testified that the son told his mother to leave the home; she claimed the son protected her by ensuring they left, though he did not speak to her afterward.
The trial will resume with police testimony as the investigation unfolds. Reports indicate up to fifty witnesses and twenty experts have been summoned to testify, and a verdict from the jury is not expected before Friday.