Preventive detention ordered for man accused of killing friend at Concón party

A 34-year-old man faces preventive detention after allegedly killing his 44-year-old friend with a knife during a party in Concón, Valparaíso Region. The Viña del Mar Guarantee Court denied the defense's argument of self-defense, concluding that the accused drew a knife from his backpack to attack the victim, whom he knew, during an argument at a residence.

The court's decision was based on the disproportionate nature of the assault. According to evidence presented during the hearing, the conflict escalated rapidly among party attendees. The judge, María del Pilar Labarca, questioned the self-defense claim, stating, "What self-defense are we talking about when there is no proportionality between the means used, a bladed weapon, nor do any of the witnesses report that the victim brandished a bladed weapon against the accused? It is clear that he took a knife from his backpack with which he attacked."

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The defendant and the deceased were at his home and, as a result of an argument, the defendant drew a bladed weapon, injuring the victim in the arm. At this point, the defense bases its opposition to the precautionary measure by arguing that there was no intent to kill, even risking saying that there would be self-defense.

Given the severity of the alleged crime, the suspect will remain in a correctional facility while the judicial process unfolds to clarify the exact circumstances of the attack. The court has set a 90-day period for the Public Ministry to conduct the necessary investigative inquiries in the Valparaíso Region.

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What self-defense are we talking about when there is no proportionality between the means used, a bladed weapon, nor do any of the witnesses report that the victim brandished a bladed weapon against the accused? It is clear that he took a knife from his backpack with which he attacked.