Uriel Ríos homicide in San Juan: adolescent charged with manslaughter in brawl, altar erected at school
An adolescent was provisionally charged with homicide in connection with a brawl after testifying before Judge Camus. His classmates from Colegio Santa Teresita erected an altar at his desk.
Provisional charge and school altar following Uriel Ríos death
The adolescent who voluntarily presented himself to the courts on Monday was provisionally charged with homicide in a brawl after testifying on Thursday before Judge María Julia Camus. This was confirmed by lawyer Martín Zuleta, representative of Uriel Ríos's family, in statements to the programme Estamos a Tiempo, according to tiempodesanjuan.com.
The charge is provisional and may change as the investigation progresses. The judge also ordered a socio-environmental study of the accused's home and requested an electronic ankle bracelet for minors; the young man is currently held at a care centre run by the Ministry of Human Development.
Zuleta noted that there are elements suggesting two bladed weapons were used during the fight. The courts are also analysing the attack suffered by Uriel's twin brother in the same incident, and it remains to be determined what role each of the youths involved played.
A further hearing is scheduled for 28 September, in which adolescents and other witnesses will be heard, with the aim of reconstructing the brawl and establishing who participated in the incident that resulted in the death of the 17-year-old.
The altar at Colegio Santa Teresita
In parallel with judicial proceedings, classmates of Uriel created a memorial at the desk the young man occupied during classes at Colegio Santa Teresita del Niño Jesús in Rawson. Images circulated on social media on Wednesday.
At the desk they placed candles, a baseball cap and a knitted teddy bear, and wrote messages at the place where Uriel sat. Along with the photographs appeared a farewell phrase: "We will remember you for the rest of our lives".
Support post for main suspect
A social media post from a young woman close to the adolescent identified as the primary suspect in the crime also emerged, though the public does not know what relationship she has with him. From a public profile, she wrote a brief message directed at the accused: "Don't give up, gil. I will always be here for you".
The context and circumstances of the post are not known.
The case continues with further witness testimony scheduled for the coming days.
Source: Google News PR — San Juan