Natalia MR in temporary prison after alleged involvement in a La Puebla crime case
Natalia MR, who is under temporary detention, faces allegations connected to a case in La Puebla. A separate defendant, along with her former partner, was condemned for gender-based violence, including an incident in which the victim’s partner was reportedly harmed while the couple was together. The events reportedly unfolded during the summer of 2021 on a terrace where authorities say the partner appeared in a car. [Citation: La Opinión de Murcia, Prensa Ibérica group]
The complaint, accessed by La Opinión de Murcia, was filed recently. The case involves Juan Manuel R. and Augustine, who is currently in custody after being taken by the Court of San Javier. He received a sentence of 40 days of community service for a persistent threat crime linked to gender violence. The messages in question, posted on Instagram, included phrases suggesting harm and hostility toward the woman involved. Examples cited included threats and expressions of intent to damage or kill, which are tied to the relationship history and alleged coercive behavior. [Citation: La Opinión de Murcia, Prensa Ibérica group]
In the judgment issued on June 3, 2021, the judge of San Javier found that Agustín was prohibited from approaching Natalia within 300 meters and from communicating with her in any way for two years. This restraining order was reportedly violated in August of the same year, leading to the same judge imposing a four-month prison sentence for the violation. A few days later, on August 19, the charred body of Juanma was discovered in an area referred to as Los Maines. [Citation: La Opinión de Murcia, Prensa Ibérica group]
Minutes after the discovery of the body, Civil Guard officers detained Natalia MR, then 18 years old, who had a romantic link with the deceased. According to Juanma’s brother, the relationship had ended shortly before the crime, while Agustín MA, the ex-boyfriend, was also linked to the case of gender violence. The Cartagena judge ordered both suspects to temporary prison as principal perpetrators of the crime. [Citation: La Opinión de Murcia, Prensa Ibérica group]
The defense for Natalia MR, represented by lawyer Antonio Casado Mena, argued that she participated in sexist violence and the murder case should be pursued in the San Javier Court of Violence against Women. However, the President of the Cartagena Court of Investigation No. 3 rejected this motion in a decision issued on October 7. The court’s ruling indicated that the criminal proceedings brought before the San Javier Court of Violence against Women were already included in the case file. [Citation: La Opinión de Murcia, Prensa Ibérica group]
Accordingly, the judge did not grant the request to separate or modify the proceedings. Instead, it was decided to have two criminologists interview the suspect and document every aspect of Natalia’s personal, social, and cyclical life. This includes assessing whether any of the conditions requested by Casado Mena should be granted. [Citation: La Opinión de Murcia, Prensa Ibérica group]
Baró declines to shield Casado Mena
In July, Antonio Casado Mena, defender of Natalia MR, sought protection from the Cartagena Bar Association on the grounds that the judge assigned to the crime investigation was attempting to restrict his professional independence and freedom of defense. He argued that such actions compromised his ability to represent his client effectively. [Citation: La Opinión de Murcia, Prensa Ibérica group]
The Bar Association responded with a letter denying the protection request. After reviewing the situation and the documents from the courtroom proceedings, they concluded that there was no infringement on the exercise of freedom, and they did not consider that the attorney’s independence or the active defense provided by the association was compromised in this case. [Citation: La Opinión de Murcia, Prensa Ibérica group]