Córdoba: Sebastián Villarreal's murder will be tried in 2026 by a popular jury
Sebastián Villarreal's murder, which occurred in February 2024 in the Yofre Norte neighborhood of Córdoba Capital, will be tried by a court with popular jurors
The 3rd Criminal Chamber rejected the expedited process and ruled that the trial will take place in 2026. The family celebrated the decision
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The crime of Sebastián Villarreal, which occurred in February 2024 in the Yofre Norte neighborhood of Córdoba Capital, will be tried by a court with popular jurors. The 3rd Chamber of Crime confirmed that the process will not be abbreviated and the hearings will take place in 2026. The family expressed their satisfaction with the decision.
The main defendants are Axel Fabricio Escada (20), Luciano Gonzalo Bustos (19), and Héctor Alejandro Herrera (25), who remain in custody in Bouwer. They will be tried for homicide during a robbery, after being identified as part of the gang that attacked Villarreal. The prosecution will request that they be convicted of homicide criminis causae, a crime that carries a life sentence.
The murder occurred in February 2024, when Villarreal was leaving for work at dawn on his motorcycle. He was intercepted by several motorcycle thieves, was shot, and died instantly. The criminals escaped with the motorcycle, in a case that caused a strong social shock in Córdoba.
Los principales acusados son Axel Fabricio Escada (20), Luciano Gonzalo Bustos (19) y Héctor Alejandro Herrera (25), quienes continúan detenidos en Bouwer.
Rejection of the abbreviated trial
In Tribunales II, Chamber prosecutor Fernando López Villagra had offered an abbreviated trial to the defendants. The proposal included sentences ranging from 10 to 16 years, on the condition that they confessed, apologized, and showed remorse.The family of Villarreal rejected the possibility of an abbreviated trial and demanded a regular process with jurors. "We wanted an open debate because what happened was extremely serious," said attorney Graciela Taranto, representative of the prosecution.
Finally, one of the defenses did not accept the agreement because it considered the sentence to be "too high." Due to the lack of consensus, the Chamber determined that the trial will be with popular jurors in 2026.
La propuesta incluía penas de entre 10 y 16 años, con la condición de que confesaran, pidieran disculpas y mostraran arrepentimiento.
Other individuals involved in the case
In addition to the three main defendants, the investigation by instruction prosecutor Andrés Godoy determined the involvement of seven other men in the series of crimes committed by the motorcycle gang. They will also have to answer to the Justice.
In total, there are 10 defendants linked to the crime and robberies committed in the area. Two of those identified were minors at the time of the events. One of them has already been declared responsible and is awaiting sentencing at the Esperanza Complex.
Another of those involved, who was 14 years old when the homicide occurred, was found not criminally responsible. He is currently housed in the Complex after being accused of a violent assault in recent months.
El asesinato ocurrió en febrero de 2024, cuando Villarreal salía a trabajar de madrugada en su moto.
A case that marked Córdoba
Villarreal's murder had a deep impact on Córdoba society. Neighbors, friends, and family organized marches for justice and demanded exemplary sentences.
According to the investigation, the gang was dedicated to violently assaulting motorcyclists, exchanging motorcycles, weapons, and helmets. They operated as an organized criminal group.
The judicial process will be closely followed, as it represents one of the most emblematic cases in the fight against insecurity in Córdoba.De acuerdo a la pesquisa, la patota se dedicaba a asaltar motociclistas con violencia, intercambiando motos, armas y cascos.
