Pity Álvarez suffers medical episode in Buenos Aires courts during homicide trial
The musician was transported by ambulance from a psychiatric clinic and required medical assistance before testifying. His defence lawyers requested suspension of the proceedings.
Pity Álvarez collapses in courthouse before giving testimony in homicide trial
Cristian "Pity" Álvarez suffered a medical episode on Monday in the Buenos Aires courts, minutes before giving testimony in the trial for the homicide of Cristian Maximiliano Díaz, which occurred in July 2018 in the Samoré neighbourhood of Villa Lugano. According to tiempodesanjuan.com, the musician required medical assistance within the judicial building itself.
The former leader of Viejas Locas and Intoxicados arrived shortly after 11 a.m. by ambulance from Solar Colonial, a mental health clinic located in Castelar where he is currently admitted. The transfer was carried out with professional accompaniment and the corresponding authorisations.
The hearing before the Oral Criminal and Correctional Court No. 29 was scheduled for 11.30 a.m. The defendant's illness delayed proceedings that day. Following medical attention, the possibility of him testifying via video call from another room in the building was considered.
Defence lawyers Sebastián Queijeiro and Javier Baños requested suspension of the trial whilst various motions submitted to the Superior Court of Justice of the City of Buenos Aires are resolved. The objections include challenges to the musician's capacity to understand the proceedings and exercise his defence, the handling of habeas corpus matters, and claims regarding the impartiality of the judges and the prosecutor. The defence sought dismissal of the case or, alternatively, annulment of the trial.
The court had previously rejected requests to halt the process. The Public Prosecutor's Office reported on 9 October that the magistrates confirmed the continuation of the trial after analysing a report from the Medical Examiner's Office, which found Álvarez capable of facing trial. The defence's expert witnesses disagreed with that conclusion.
The singer is on trial for Díaz's death, which occurred during the early morning of 12 July 2018. The trial began in August of this year, more than eight years after the incident.
Monday's session also had scheduled a court expert and Father César Scicchitano Tagle, known as the Rock Priest and close to the artist. The defence is also considering incorporating new witnesses before the conclusion of that phase and the start of closing arguments.
Source: Google News PR — San Juan