In Córdoba, the Provincial Court continues with the trial of two defendants in a high-profile murder case
The second segment of proceedings at the Córdoba Provincial Court began this week, with a verdict now in sight after the jury’s guilty finding related to alleged crimes tied to a Man identified as a local resident and a suspect in the murder case. The case also involves charges of forgery of commercial documents, impersonation of marital status, and possession of prohibited weapons. The prosecution has requested a sentence of perpetual imprisonment should the defendants be found guilty on all counts.
To set the record straight, the presiding judge summoned nearly one hundred attendees. The audience included the two defendants, Joaquín R. and Pedro G., as well as neighbors, supporters from both sides, civil servants, and a range of experts. Forensic scientists, chemists, and engineers were among the specialists invited to provide testimony. Official sessions are slated to resume on Monday, January 20, with both morning and afternoon periods scheduled and the potential addition of a Saturday session if needed. Although the trial was initially planned to commence on the 6th of the month, the withdrawal of one defense attorney and subsequent appointment of a new attorney caused a brief postponement so the new counsel could prepare. Nevertheless, the court proceeded with the jury selection on Monday, June 6, at the Córdoba City Court complex.
The core facts under examination concern the alleged assassination of Juan Carlos Rodríguez Borrego. Reports describe him as a person who suffered from a mental condition. In September 2017, he approached several clients seeking legal help after lodging multiple complaints of alleged sexual misconduct. The attorney who agreed to defend him was later accused of an act that compromised the client’s position by posing as a priest, supposedly to assist him. During this period, a sequence of events unfolded that leveraged the trust of the intended victim, accelerating the pace of actions that culminated in murder, with the possibility that the false priest played a central role in the crime.
Juan Carlos Rodríguez Borrego went missing in September 2017. His remains were discovered in August 2018, buried in his own garden. Investigators linked the suspect to the deceased’s vehicle, relevant documents, and the credit card used by Juan Carlos to procure items necessary for the crime and its concealment. Evidence located at the residence included weapons and additional documents tied to the deceased. A separate line of inquiry revealed records tied to a Colombian national, suggesting family plans to relocate abroad, adding a layer of international dimension to the case.
The hearing is set to continue in the days ahead, with the defense facing a potential maximum sentence of four years in relation to certain counts, marking a critical phase in the broader instruction process. The timeline has been affected by procedural twists and delays, including several changes of judges, evolving case materials, and other developments that have left the victim’s family wary about a possible release prior to a full trial. This nervousness stems from the perception that the prisoner could be freed before the judicial process concludes, given the delays and the pending legal avenues.
Recent developments included the resignation of Joaquin R.’s counsel, an appeal to the Superior Court of Justice of Andalusia about a rejected procedure, and another appeal filed in Madrid, which was dismissed in light of sanctions imposed by the court. The Madrid Bar Association has subsequently assumed responsibility for the defense of the accused due to ethical constraints, as responsibility shifted away from the previously serving attorney who acted as the victim’s legal representative at an earlier stage of the case. The ongoing proceedings reflect a complex web of legal challenges and evidentiary scrutiny as both sides prepare for the next phases of testimony and judicial rulings.