Seven arrested for kidnapping and four murders in Trujillo deny charges before judge
A judge in Trujillo has ordered 36 months of preventive detention for seven suspects investigated for the kidnapping of businessman Jenss Lara and the murder of four people.
Suspects in the Jenss Lara case reject involvement and one retracts earlier statement
Seven of the eight suspects investigated for the kidnapping of mining businessman Jenss Lara Tantaquilla and the murder of four of his companions in Trujillo denied any involvement in the facts before judge Eduardo Medina. According to trome.com, the magistrate of the Permanent Preparatory Investigation Court Specialised in Extortion and Related Crimes ordered 36 months of preventive detention for all of them following eight days of hearing.
The ruling applies to Julio Zavaleta Quezada, alias 'Juliacho'; Frank Quezada Cruz, 'Ñato'; Ángel Bocanegra Linares, 'Folo'; César García Rivera, 'Bolacho'; Roy Bocanegra Aguilar, 'Pity'; Roy Bocanegra Marreros, 'Roy'; and Joyce Bereche Maco, 'R'. All will be transferred under police escort to El Milagro prison in Trujillo, whilst the Public Ministry continues gathering evidence.
'Juliacho' retracts: spoke "out of fear" of reprisals against his family
The statement that drew the most attention during the hearings was that of Zavaleta Quezada. Before judge Medina, the suspect contradicted what he had stated in the initial proceedings, saying that his earlier words were motivated by fear.
"I, in reality, have nothing to do with this. I know I said some things, that is, out of fear that they would do something to my family, because of the personnel who had apprehended me," said 'Juliacho'.
His initial statement had gained significance in the investigation because, according to information disclosed in the initial proceedings, he had reportedly acknowledged participation and mentioned other implicated individuals. He now maintains that those words were the product of pressure exercised by police personnel who carried out his apprehension.
The judge weighed inconsistencies and evidence to issue the precautionary measure
The suspects' denials were not sufficient to stop the fiscal request. Judge Medina considered procedural risk, the residential and employment roots of each individual, as well as inconsistencies detected in arguments presented by some defence teams and evidence incorporated into the case file.
Among the elements the Public Ministry has are surveillance records, proof-of-life videos of Jenss Lara during his captivity, and an atomic absorption test carried out on five of the initial detainees. The examination tested positive for residue associated with gunfire in the cases of 'Juliacho', 'Ñato', 'Bolacho', 'Folo' and 'Ares'.
The judicial decision is a precautionary measure and not a conviction. Three defence lawyers announced they would appeal the ruling; the other defence teams reserved that right.
'Ares' released with restrictions; Public Ministry will appeal
The situation of José Miguel Cerrepe Dávila, alias 'Ares', was different. The judge declared the request for preventive detention presented against him unfounded and ordered his release, although he must face the process under appearance with restrictions.
The fiscal theory holds that 'Ares' carried out logistical functions related to weaponry and maintained communication with other suspects, a circumstance that he himself had previously acknowledged. The Public Ministry announced that it would appeal the decision before a higher authority to attempt to overturn Medina's ruling.
Cerrepe Dávila's mother, who maintained a vigil of 22 days outside the Divincri in Trujillo, publicly defended her son's innocence after learning of the ruling.
Link to 'Los Pulpos' and other implicated individuals with preventive detention
The Public Ministry maintains that the kidnapping was planned and that different individuals carried out specific roles within the operation. The investigations also point to a structure linked with the criminal organisation known as 'Los Pulpos'.
In the same case, Jhonsson Smit Cruz Torres, alias 'Jhonsson Pulpo', identified as the alleged leader of that organisation, and Gabriel Mendocilla also received 36 months of preventive detention.
With seven suspects on their way to El Milagro prison, 'Ares' in restricted freedom and 'Juliacho's' retraction pending comparison with his initial statement, the Public Ministry will continue gathering evidence and testimonies during the period that the precautionary measure lasts.
Source: Google News PE — Crime