Accused Boyfriend Killer to Remain in Prison Pending Trial

Victoria Luz Cantero, 25, will continue to be held in a common prison as she faces charges of aggravated homicide for the stabbing death of her 29-year-old boyfriend, Julián Álvarez Guardia. Prosecutor Ana González de Pacce requested pretrial detention, citing the potential for a life sentence. This move paves the way for a trial. The investigation will now focus on gathering more evidence, including complementary studies to the autopsy. These will aim to determine if Cantero administered any sedatives to Álvarez Guardia to weaken his resistance. Currently detained at Unit Penitentiary VIII in Resistencia, Chaco, she would be transferred to a women's prison if the pretrial detention is confirmed. The prosecutor excluded the charge of treachery, as forensic reports and neighbor testimonies indicated Álvarez Guardia was awake and arguing with Cantero at the time of the attack. Neighbors reported hearing arguments and shouts from the apartment starting around 5:30 a.m. on August 2nd, shortly after the couple returned from a nightclub. The stabbing reportedly occurred at 6:15 a.m. Álvarez Guardia even called Cantero's brother, who was also his best friend, during the altercation, complaining that his girlfriend was stabbing him with a kitchen knife. While one of the victim's family lawyers pushed for charges including treachery, the prosecutor maintained that the attack happened while Álvarez Guardia was seated but conscious, based on autopsy results, neighbor accounts, and phone records confirming the call to the brother.

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the accused did not take advantage of the victim's defenseless state to act and kill with certainty, as would have happened if the aggression had occurred while Álvarez Guardia was sleeping.