Tamaulipas court denies judge's bias in Dafne Zapata femicide case

The Judicial Branch of Tamaulipas has refuted claims that a judge presiding over the Dafne Zapata case has any familial or personal ties to the involved parties. The court defended the judge's impartiality amidst the ongoing legal proceedings.

This confirmation comes as the state's Attorney General's Office (FGJET) pursues charges related to the death of a minor at an educational institution in Ciudad Madero. Three arrest warrants were issued for Danna “C”, Estrellita “M”, and Jorge Luis “P”. These individuals have been placed under judicial custody to face legal processes.

Following the confirmation of the legality of their arrests, preventive detention was imposed on the accused. The court has since issued a process order against Danna “C” for femicide on July 28, setting a three-month period for complementary investigation. On July 30, hearings for Estrellita “M” and Jorge Luis “P” resulted in Estrellita “M” being linked to the process for femicide, acting in co-authorship. Jorge Luis “P” faces charges for femicide due to an omission in his duties.

The Judicial Branch emphasized that institutional protocols were followed to verify the judge's lack of any relationship with the parties, ensuring no legal impediment or circumstance compromises impartiality. The court also clarified that linking individuals to a process does not equate to a conviction, upholding the principle of presumption of innocence until a final verdict is reached. A six-month period was set for the complementary investigation in the cases of Estrellita “M” and Jorge Luis “P”.