La Derecha Diario Sentences for police officers for the murder of Blas Correas in Córdoba in 2020 are upheld
The young man was shot and killed at a police checkpoint after going out to dinner with his friends in August of that year
The Superior Court of Justice of Córdoba confirmed on Tuesday the sentences imposed on the police officers involved in the murder of Blas Correas. The crime occurred during the pandemic, when the 17-year-old was returning home after going out with friends. The case caused a strong public reaction due to the police actions and the subsequent attempt at a cover-up.
In March 2023, the Eighth Criminal Court sentenced corporals Lucas Gómez and Javier Alarcón to life imprisonment. Both were found guilty of the aggravated murder of Correas and the attempted murder of the other occupants of the car. They were also tried for the improper use of a firearm while on duty.
The incident took place in August 2020, when a Fiat Argo with 5 young people was intercepted by the police after an argument with a motorcyclist. The driver of the vehicle did not stop at a checkpoint and the officers began shooting. One of the bullets struck Blas in the back, causing his death.
The sentences also extended to the police officers who attempted to cover up the incident
Several officers received sentences for having participated in the attempted cover-up after the police attack that ended the teenager's life. According to evidence presented at trial, some officers staged the scene to make it appear that the young people were armed in order to justify the shots fired. They planted a weapon in the victims' car with the aim of concealing what had happened that night.
Among those convicted are Wanda Esquivel, Florencia Martínez, and Deputy Commissioner Sergio González, along with other members of the force. The sentences range from two to almost five years in prison, depending on the degree of responsibility assigned to each. In contrast, police officers Rodrigo Toloza and Leonardo Martínez were acquitted by the court.
An additional related case occurred months later, during the second trial that addressed another aspect of the incident in Córdoba. In October 2023, Fernando Casalino, an employee of the Aconcagua clinic where they tried to take Blas after he was shot, was convicted. Casalino refused to treat him when he arrived seriously injured, a decision that was identified as part of the tragic outcome.
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