A popular jury has unanimously found this Friday guilty Dana Leonte’s boyfriend of a crime of murder and another against moral integrity, for having ended the young woman’s life in Arenas (Málaga) in 2019 and subsequently causing the corpse to disappear. After the verdict became known, the court has ordered his arrest and placement in prison, since until now he had remained free on provisional release.
The reading of the jury’s decision was carried out on the morning of this Friday, and the members of the popular court have considered the account of the accusations to be proven, both those of the Office of Public Prosecution for Violence against Women and the particular prosecution that represents the victim’s family.
The facts date back to 12 June 2019. That day, according to the accusations, a telephone conversation took place between Sergio, the defendant, and Dana, in which she told him that she did not want to continue the relationship. That same night, it is alleged, the accused, "with contempt for the freedom and integrity of the woman" and "with the intention of ending" her life, "with a wooden stick struck her head forcefully".
The accusations maintain that, after the assault, he moved her to another location, where he allegedly "dismembered her" and got rid of her remains in different spots in the area. They also point out that he cleaned with bleach both the home and the vehicle used to move the body in order to eliminate any trace.
The jury has accepted these theories, emphasizing that the young woman thought she was in a "safe" environment and could not foresee an attack by her partner; and that, with his conduct after the crime, the accused increased the moral suffering of Dana’s relatives. They also consider it proven that he prepared an alibi by sending mobile messages simulating being the victim.
In his final submissions, the Public Prosecutor’s Office requested for the accused a sentence of 27 years in prison for the crimes of murder and against moral integrity, appreciating domestic treachery and the aggravating circumstances of kinship and gender. The particular prosecution, exercised on behalf of the family by attorney Antonia Barba, sought 22 years in prison.
After the verdict was made public, both the prosecuting attorney for Violence against Women in Andalusia, Flor de Torres, and the lawyer for the private prosecution defended the need to adopt precautionary measures, considering the seriousness of the facts and the increased risk of flight resulting from the admission of guilt. Next, the court ordered their detention and immediate admission to prison.