Minor Avoids Harsh Sentence in Fatal Stabbing Due to New Law

A 15-year-old minor who fatally stabbed a hairdresser will avoid a severe 15-year prison sentence by a mere 26 days, thanks to the upcoming implementation of a new juvenile justice law. The law, which establishes 15 years as the age of criminal responsibility, was enacted on February 27 but will only come into effect 180 days after its publication in the Official Bulletin, which occurred on March 9.

This means the law will officially take force on September 9. Consequently, the 15-year-old accused in the stabbing death of Rodrigo Subich, 26, will be processed under the previous legal provisions, which deem minors in this age group as non-punishable. The accused was apprehended by police while walking near the scene of the crime.

The crime occurred when the minor, seeking a haircut without an appointment, became enraged after being refused service by Subich and other employees at the barbershop. Security camera footage shows the minor verbally abusing the staff. Subich, initially at the back of the shop, approached the aggressor and asked him to leave.

Instead of complying, the minor attacked Subich. Unable to reach him with his fists, the minor produced a knife and inflicted multiple stab wounds. Subich, suffering from severe blood loss due to a stab wound to a vital area, was transported to Fiorito Hospital but tragically died from hypovolemic shock.

Following interviews with witnesses and a review of the security footage, police identified the assailant as a 15-year-old neighbor. Officers located and arrested the minor eight blocks from the barbershop as he was about to enter another salon.