Navy petty officer sentenced to 30 years for killing doctor Enrique Espinal in Santiago
The Fourth Collegiate Court of Santiago sentenced military officer Víctor Manuel Saldaña to 30 years in prison for murdering perinatologist Enrique Espinal in 2024.
Court condemns Dominican military officer to 30 years for perinatologist doctor's murder
The Fourth Collegiate Court of Santiago unanimously convicted Navy petty officer Víctor Manuel Saldaña Hernández, alias Julio, to 30 years in prison for the murder of perinatologist Enrique Antonio Espinal Castillo, which occurred in 2024, according to acento.com.do.
Judges Rubén Darío Cruz Uceta, court president; Rubén Rodríguez and Jasmín de los Santos issued the sentence unanimously. The ruling also includes payment of RD$ 4 million in civil reparations.
The facts according to the prosecution
According to the Public Ministry, Espinal Castillo left his residence in the Villa Olga sector and travelled to the Los Guandules community in the Hato del Yaque municipal district, Santiago, where he met with Saldaña Hernández. Hours after the meeting, the doctor was struck on the skull and face with wounds that caused his death.
Espinal Castillo's body was found on 5 August 2024 in a vacant lot in La Costa de Rafelito, in Sabana Grande de Palenque, San Cristóbal province. According to the prosecution, Saldaña Hernández transported the corpse to that location in the boot of a white Hyundai Tucson sport utility vehicle belonging to the victim. The military officer is from that district.
Investigation and evidence
The Santiago Public Prosecutor's Office initiated the investigation following the doctor's disappearance and subsequently located the body. The Department of Physical Violence compiled material, documentary, videographic and testimonial evidence linking the accused to the crime.
During the merits trial, prosecutor Jenniffer Rodríguez presented various evidentiary elements. Among the evidence was the route travelled by Saldaña Hernández from Hato del Yaque in Santiago to San Cristóbal, reconstructed using images provided by the National Emergency Response and Security System 9-1-1.
The Public Ministry accused Saldaña Hernández of planning and executing Espinal Castillo's murder, in violation of articles 379, 382, 295 and 304 of the Penal Code.
With the sentence now final, the military officer must serve the 30 years in prison and pay the damages determined by the court.
Source: Google News CL — Santiago