Pity Álvarez Murder Trial Begins with Witness Testimonies

The trial of Cristian Álvarez Congiú, widely known as Pity Álvarez, commenced with the testimony phase, featuring the accused present in court. The proceedings are set to unfold over ten sessions, during which an estimated 70 individuals are expected to provide their accounts before the Oral Criminal and Correctional Court No. 29.

Álvarez stands accused of the fatal shooting of Cristian Maximiliano Díaz, an incident that occurred on July 12, 2018, in the Cardenal Samoré neighborhood of Villa Lugano. The prosecution is led by prosecutor Sandro Abraldes, with Fernando Burlando representing the victim's family as the plaintiff, while Álvarez is defended by official defender Javier Aldo Marino.

Among the anticipated testimonies is that of Verónica Román, Díaz's widow, who is expected to be the first to speak. Other witnesses include Carlos Ulises Stiempcich, Agustina Inbernoz, Raúl Prieto Inbernoz, and Fanny Johana Valdivia Quea. The trial is scheduled to continue on various dates throughout August and September.

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I killed him because it was him or me. And I think any animal would do the same.

The article recounts the events of the night of the murder, detailing how Díaz and Álvarez, who knew each other from the neighborhood but were not friends, engaged in an argument. The altercation escalated, resulting in Álvarez allegedly firing four shots at Díaz. The victim's daughter, Jacqueline Guzzardi, then 16, described the traumatic experience of finding her father deceased. She recalled Álvarez's erratic behavior but noted he had always treated her well, expressing deep psychological distress from the event and his music since her father's death.

Further details from the case indicate that after the shooting, Álvarez and his girlfriend fled the scene. His girlfriend was reportedly asked to dispose of the murder weapon in a sewer. Álvarez later surrendered to the police after being a fugitive for approximately 24 hours. His surrender was marked by a now-infamous statement: "I killed him because it was him or me. And I think any animal would do the same."

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I could not believe it; one knew he was crazy, but he always treated me well. Since then, I cannot even listen to his name or one of his songs. It affected me psychologically. He may be whatever as a musician, but as a person, he killed my father.