The victim's relatives called for a demonstration in front of Tribunales II to demand justice and reject the summary procedure
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The murder of Sebastián Villarreal, which occurred on February 29, 2024, caused great shock in Córdoba and still hasn't found a judicial resolution. Three adults and two minors were charged with the crime, although the 14-year-old teenager was released because he is not criminally responsible. Meanwhile, the 17-year-old was declared responsible and is serving a year of detention at Complejo Esperanza.
The adult defendants are Axel Fabricio Escada, 20 years old, Luciano Gonzalo Bustos, 19, and Héctor Alejandro Herrera, 25, who are awaiting trial. All face charges of homicide during a robbery and will be tried by the Third Criminal Court of Córdoba. The case keeps the family on edge, as they insist that the process must be carried out transparently.
At the last hearing, prosecutor Fernando López Villagra raised the possibility of a shortened trial with sentences ranging from 10 to 16 years. The plaintiff's attorney, Graciela Taranto, expressed her rejection and warned that the family considers that option unacceptable. Due to the magnitude of the crime, Sebastián's relatives demand that the defendants be tried by a jury of citizens.
Sebastián Villarreal junto con sus hermanos
A demand for justice without shortcuts
Sebastián's sister, Jimena Villarreal, called for a demonstration on Monday the 29th in front of Courts II to reject any shortened agreement. In a video shared on social media, she denounced that the incompetence and negligence of the judicial system have revictimized them for 19 months. According to her, the process has been a display of lack of ethics and respect toward the family.
Jimena stated that what the Justice proposes "is terrifying," since in just a few minutes a case marked by extreme cruelty could be closed. "Yesterday we left the courts devastated, it was shameful," she said through tears after the hearing. The family insists that a trial by jury of citizens is appropriate to provide an exemplary response to society.
The plaintiff also questioned the actions of the Province regarding security and the prevention of juvenile crime. "We wouldn't be here if they had done what they were supposed to do at each stage of the intervention with those kids," Jimena warned. For her, her brother's murder was preventable if appropriate measures had been applied at the right time.
