It was once spoken of as part of the urban subcultures that marked the early 2000s. Some believed that a violent fringe, identified by shaved heads and extremist ideology, terrorized streets in several Spanish cities, including Zaragoza. The crimes targeted vulnerable groups, such as the homeless, leaving many residents shaken. In Zaragoza, Julio Jesús Millán, a long-time resident of Ateca who had lived in the city for years, was attacked while sleeping in a garage on the Camino de las Torres. The assailant wore boots and reportedly referred to a group identity at the scene. Investigators later described the crime as brutal and driven by a cruel impulse, and Aitor Galindo, then in his twenties, received a 20-year prison sentence after being found guilty of murder.
Julio Jesús Millán, originally from Ateca, spent years in Zaragoza and was well known in the neighborhood where his body was discovered. He was frequently seen with a modest appearance, wearing worn clothing and a backpack. Few realized that he had studied law at the University of Zaragoza and had interacted with prominent figures in regional politics and the judiciary, including names associated with the city’s institutions and legal history.
At the time, Millán chose a bohemian lifestyle, supported by a disability pension his family received. He did not beg or drink publicly, and the turmoil that followed his death drew the attention of local authorities and community leaders alike. The case drew attention from the city hall and became a focal point in discussions about safety and policing in Zaragoza.
Millán died at the entrance to the Camino de las Torres parking area, in front of his usual sleeping spot. Autopsy results indicated severe craniofacial injuries and multiple traumas leading to a fatal brain hemorrhage. The autopsy also noted a crushed nose. The time of death was recorded around early morning hours, and a taxi driver raised the alarm when the body was found in a pool of blood.
The night of the incident included reports of heavy drinking and impaired driving. Aitor Galindo, seen in the area wearing bloody clothing, became the primary suspect. Local authorities noted that witnesses did not recall seeing other individuals in the vicinity at the time, and Galindo’s presence near the victim that night strengthened suspicions.
He publicly asserted to local officers that he had informed them that skinheads targeted the homeless and fled before police arrived.
Earlier, a phone call had alerted authorities to a potential distress situation on the Camino de las Torres. Responding officers found Millán with minor facial injuries and scratches. He declined hospital transport and preferred not to file a complaint. Yet investigators soon identified Galindo nearby, and he claimed he had attempted to assist the victim while suggesting that skinheads were responsible for the injuries.
Galindo’s statements also referenced bloodstains on his boots as evidence of the crime. He sustained a wrist and knee injury shortly after, which led to hospital treatment. Despite these claims, initial indications pointed to Galindo as the person responsible for the fatal assault.
He faced imprisonment for two years and was later brought to trial at Zaragoza’s state court on January 31. During the proceedings, Galindo claimed to have endured psychological pressure to confess and argued that he only wanted to help the victim, finding himself charged with murder instead. He stated there was no motive to hate the victim or commit the crime, insisting that he did not know why such an event occurred.
Nevertheless, the evidence suggested otherwise. Investigators found the perpetrator’s footprints near the body, and no independent witnesses corroborated the presence of other attackers in the area. Family members described Galindo as a normal young man with friends and concerns, noting no prior history of violence.
Galindo asserted that he underwent pressure to confess, insisting his intention was to aid the victim rather than commit murder.
The trial included discussions about motive and the mental state of the defendant. Psychologists and forensic experts argued that serious violence can be committed outside patterns of mental illness. They described Galindo as a young man with a seemingly ordinary life, though some experts noted possible coping mechanisms in his behavior. The defense highlighted the defendant’s ordinary persona while prosecutors contended that this portrayal did not match the gravity of the crime. Multiple appeals followed, but the final ruling upheld a sentence of 20 years in prison.
Community leaders and legal observers continue to reflect on the case as a touchstone for discussions about youth violence, accountability, and the factors that lead to brutal acts in urban settings. The proceedings emphasized the need for fair treatment, thorough investigation, and careful consideration of the social dynamics that influence such tragedies.