Alleged murderer of Tulia transferred from Córdoba prison for security reasons
Francisco L.A., detained since 13 April for the death of his ex-wife Tulia, has been transferred to another prison facility following several suicide attempts, according to his lawyer.
Prison transfer following several suicide attempts
Francisco L.A., held in preventive detention since 13 April as the alleged perpetrator of the death of his ex-wife Tulia in the Fuensanta neighbourhood of Córdoba, has been transferred to a prison facility other than the one in Córdoba. According to ABC, the stated reason is "his safety".
The news has been confirmed by his lawyer, criminal law specialist Marina Corral, partner at the law firm Barral Abogados. Corral declined to reveal the name of the new facility or the specific circumstances of the transfer, but indicated that her client has experienced several "suicide attempts". These episodes demonstrate, in the lawyer's view, that "this is a person who has had mental health problems for years".
Closed hearing regarding the events of 11 April
This Wednesday, a closed hearing was held on the alleged offences of assault, threats and property damage allegedly committed against Tulia on Saturday 11 April, just 48 hours before the crime. The Public Prosecutor's Office is seeking two years in prison for the defendant. The defence, however, argues that there were no assaults or threats.
The Public Ministry considers it proven that the defendant entered Tulia's home without her consent and, while she was listening to music, struck the sound equipment with a hammer. The victim stated at the time that her ex-husband grabbed her by the chest, pushed her and threatened to destroy and set fire to the property.
The defence disagrees with this interpretation. Corral argues that "the criminal scope of the phrase attributed to him has not been properly established or explained". According to what was stated in court, the specific expression was: "When you're not at home, I'm going to come in and I'm going to wreck your flat". For the lawyer, that phrase "does not constitute a direct threat to the physical integrity of the person, but rather refers to material property and was made at a moment of emotional disturbance".
Defence requests evaluation of defendant's mental state
Regarding the proceedings into the death of Tulia—for which the investigation is still ongoing—Corral emphasised "the need to properly assess the state of health of our client at the time of the events, considering this as an essential issue to guarantee a fair trial and with all due safeguards".
The lawyer asserts that "there are objective elements that suggest a complete clinical evaluation before issuing definitive conclusions about his degree of responsibility". Any doubt about possible conditions or alterations in emotional control "must be analysed by a medical professional, given that it is not the competence of the legal profession to determine the existence of a condition or its scope".
Corral has also called for prudence regarding "premature assessments and judgements", and has recalled that the judicial investigation, still ongoing, "must clarify all of these matters".
No formal charge nor provisional classification
The lawyer has clarified that her client "has not been formally charged and the provisional classification of the offences has not yet been established by the prosecution nor by the Public Prosecutor's Office". Therefore, she contends that any headline suggesting definitive conclusions about homicide or murder "does not reflect the actual procedural situation, since the investigation and evidence gathering are still ongoing".
Regarding the potential constitution of a jury, Corral has clarified that this step "will occur only once the investigation has concluded and the corresponding ruling has been issued, a stage at which all parties will be able to file their charges".
Francisco L.A. was arrested on 13 April. The victim, Tulia, died as a result of a stab wound that pierced her heart.
Source: ABC