A 17-year-old has admitted to the crime and will remain at Complejo Esperanza, while the family is requesting his transfer to Bouwer
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Sebastián Villarreal's murder already has a first convicted individual in Córdoba. The murderer, who was 17 years old at the time of the crime, confessed and was declared criminally responsible. Judge Ileana Benedito ordered that he remain for one year at Complejo Esperanza under treatment.
This is not a final sentence because he was a minor when the incident occurred. The magistrate must assess his progress before issuing a sentence. Only after one year will it be possible to determine whether he will be acquitted or formally sentenced.
The victim's family insists that the young man should be transferred to Bouwer Prison. The plaintiff's attorney warned that Senaf is not effective in these processes. According to her, the treatment should be handled by judicial technical staff.
El asesinato de Sebastián Villarreal ya tiene un primer condenado en Córdoba.
The family's demand and pending judicial process
The crime occurred in February 2024, when Villarreal was shot and killed during an attempted robbery in the Yofre Norte neighborhood. Sebastián left on his motorcycle for work when he was intercepted by armed motorcycle thieves. According to the case, he pleaded for his life but was executed in cold blood.
The investigation determined that several young people participated in the attack. Two were minors and three were already adults, who will stand trial in the 3rd Criminal Chamber. Another seven defendants will be tried for violent robberies committed by the same gang.
One of the minors was declared not criminally responsible due to his age and was sent to Complejo Esperanza. Meanwhile, JM was held responsible for homicide criminis causae and aggravated concealment. The ruling makes him the first person convicted for the murder.
Uno de los menores fue declarado inimputable por su edad y derivado al Complejo Esperanza.
Insecurity and expectations
The case led to multiple marches in Córdoba, with demands from family members, friends, and neighbors. The demonstrators demanded justice and greater security measures in the city. The crime once again exposed the problem of motorcycle thieves in residential neighborhoods.
The plaintiff believes that the accused should have been tried together with the adults. According to them, the procedural deadlines expired and the juvenile hearing was the available judicial option. Nonetheless, the request for a transfer to Bouwer remains.
Meanwhile, the young man's future will remain under judicial review. Although he admitted his responsibility and asked for forgiveness, the process is not yet over. The final decision will depend on what the judge decides in 2026 after evaluating his treatment.
