Penadés case: Judge rejects statute of limitations claims for four accusers, defense to appeal

A Uruguayan judge has rejected a key defense argument in the case against former senator Gustavo Penadés, refusing to dismiss charges for four accusers based on the statute of limitations. Judge Marcela Vargas ruled that the debate over the timeliness of the complaints must be addressed during the main trial.

The defense team, led by lawyers Homero Guerrero and Laura Robatto, had argued that several victims failed to file their complaints within the required six-month window under legislation applicable when the alleged offenses occurred. They contended that the opportunity to pursue criminal charges had expired, particularly for incidents reportedly dating back to 1989 or 1990.

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Penadés did not turn 60 years old, he surely had hair.

During the hearing, the defense highlighted the significant delay, noting one accuser waited over three decades to file. They also questioned the retroactive application of newer legal norms. However, the prosecution and the victims' representatives argued that the statute of limitations arguments had already been settled by an appellate court and that the victims were in a state of extreme vulnerability, making timely reporting difficult.

Judge Vargas sided with the prosecution, stating that the statute of limitations did not appear "manifest or gross." She emphasized that determining victim vulnerability and their capacity to report required evaluating evidence, a task for the trial judge. The defense announced its intention to appeal all of Vargas's rulings, while the court control of accusations is set to continue in early August.

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The argument for not upholding the exception is being given to me by you yourself.