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Paraguay: Murder trial stalled in preliminary evidence phase
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Crime & Justice

Paraguay: Murder trial stalled in preliminary evidence phase

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • A trial for a murder suspect, who is now an adult, has not yet begun and is in the incident and evidence control phase.
  • Prosecutors and the plaintiff have submitted requests to include or exclude evidence before the trial formally starts.
  • The court is deliberating on these requests, which include the prosecution's inclusion of newly discovered evidence and the defense's request to exclude a procedural record.

The trial for the suspect in the murder of María Fernanda Benítez, who was a minor at the time of the crime but is now an adult, remains stalled in preliminary stages. The court is currently deliberating on various motions filed by the prosecution, the plaintiff, and the defense. These motions concern the inclusion or exclusion of evidence before the main trial can commence.

The trial court is deliberating on requests made by the prosecution, the plaintiff, and the defense.

— Noelia MontaníaThe prosecutor confirmed the current stage of the trial and the ongoing deliberations.

The prosecution confirmed that the trial is in the incident and evidence control phase. This stage involves the court reviewing requests from all parties regarding the evidence to be presented. The prosecution has requested the inclusion of evidence that came to light after the initial accusation was filed. Similarly, the plaintiff has also offered new evidence through a formal motion.

The prosecution presented an incident of evidentiary inclusion regarding elements that came to the attention of the Public Ministry after the presentation of the accusation.

— Noelia MontaníaThe prosecutor detailed the specific requests being considered by the court.

The defense has agreed to the inclusion of some evidence but has also requested the exclusion of a specific procedural record. The Tribunal de Sentencia is currently deliberating on this particular request. The prosecution clarified that regardless of the court's decision on these preliminary matters, the trial itself will not be suspended. The judges must issue resolutions on each motion before the main proceedings can begin.

The defense, on some points, agreed to the incorporation of evidence, although it also requested the exclusion of a record of fiscal procedure.

— Noelia MontaníaThe prosecutor described the defense's position on the evidence.

The accused appeared in court accompanied by two private defense attorneys. The trial is taking place in Coronel Oviedo, where the crime occurred. The tribunal consists of judges Raúl Marecos, Vidal Santa Cruz, and Roberto Estigarribia. The prosecution is pursuing charges of feminicide and abortion, alleging the accused not only caused Benítez's death but also the death of the fetus she was carrying.

Regardless of the decision the judges make on the incidents, the trial will not be suspended.

— Noelia MontaníaThe prosecutor clarified the procedural implications of the ongoing deliberations.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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