Finally, after a long and painful judicial process, justice has been served in the case of Jhonier Leal (51), accused of the murder of his own brother Mauricio Leal and his mother in November 2021. The 55th judge of knowledge has issued a guilty verdict, putting an end to the uncertainty and anguish that the community and the families of the victims have lived through.
The judicial process lasted 2 years, with the Prosecutor’s Office presenting strong evidence that proved Jhonier’s guilt in the double homicide. From his entrance to the Arboretto residential complex where he lived with the victims to his stay in the same house on the day of the crime, the evidence presented by the Prosecutor’s Office has been decisive in proving the responsibility of the accused.
It is heartbreaking to think that Jhonier not only took the lives of his own family members, but also attempted to manipulate the crime scene and hide the evidence of his heinous crime. During the judicial process, the community has witnessed Jhonier’s coldness and lack of remorse for his actions.
Jhonier’s defense attorney, Daniel Peña, has tried throughout the process to point out “inconsistencies” in the trial and request the acquittal of his client. However, the judge has dismissed his arguments, rejected his request and proceeded to issue a sentence.
The next step in this case is to determine in a hearing on June 14, the sentence that Jhonier will have to serve, which could be between 40 to 60 years plus 1,400 SMMLV (current minimum wages). While the community recovers from the impact of this tragic double homicide, the judge’s ruling brings some closure to the grieving families. Although they will never be able to recover their loved ones, at least they can rest assured that justice has been done in this case.