The Provincial Court of Santa Cruz de Tenerife has delivered a guilty verdict against a man accused of murdering his ex-wife in Adeje on 8th January 2023. The jury determined that the crime was premeditated, planned meticulously, and carried out with treachery.
They have requested that the sentencing judge take into account the aggravating factors of gender-based violence and familial ties when determining the punishment.
The jury dismissed the defence's argument that the accused was not aware of his actions due to being under the influence of drugs, alcohol, and medication.
Evidence from neighbours in Armeñime, arresting officers, and expert witnesses indicated that the accused appeared conscious and not intoxicated at the time of the crime.
The 46-year-old defendant was also found guilty of causing injuries to his stepson, who sustained cuts to both hands while attempting to intervene and protect his mother during the attack.
During the trial, the accused claimed he had no recollection of the events that night, from the time he left work until he arrived at the police station. He admitted to consuming alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, and prescription pills. However, these claims were refuted by multiple witnesses who testified that he appeared sober and aware.
The court also heard harrowing testimony about the couple's ten-year marriage, marked by frequent arguments, domestic abuse, and cycles of separation and reconciliation. The final separation occurred on 28 December 2022, following a domestic violence complaint from the victim, after which the accused spent several days in custody.
The defence admitted the defendant’s culpability and proposed a sentence of 16.5 years for the murder, along with the minimum penalty for the injuries inflicted on the stepson. The prosecution, however, called for a 25-year prison term for the murder, an additional five years for the second charge, and compensation ranging from €200,000 to €250,000 for each of the couple’s four children, along with €25,000 for the injured stepson.
The victim’s children recounted years of humiliation and abuse endured by their mother and themselves, culminating in the tragic events of that night. Witnesses described how the accused attacked the victim outside her home while her children were present. Neighbours testified to hearing her cries for help and seeing a man restrain the accused. A plainclothes police officer who lived nearby alerted authorities and medical responders, while bystanders attempted to save the woman’s life, but their efforts were unsuccessful.
The court also heard evidence that, in the days leading up to the murder, the accused frequently expressed his intent to kill his ex-wife and voiced grievances about Spanish laws offering too much protection to women.
Forensic experts confirmed that the victim’s death occurred almost instantaneously from a single knife wound. A psychologist refuted the accused's claim of amnesia and stated that he was fully aware of his actions despite his reported use of substances.
The court is now tasked with determining the final sentence, which is expected to reflect the severity of the crime and the aggravating circumstances highlighted by the jury.
