The Provincial Court of Valladolid is hosting the trial for the shooting death of a client at the illegal nightclub La Fiestuki in La Cistiérnaga. The venue, which operates without permission, occupies the same space as a former inn, La Tía Pepa, which was closed down by local police. The Guardia Civil has noted that the chaotic location serves as a haven for individuals on the run from the law. The incident occurred on August 1, 2022, when B. L., a 27-year-old with a history of run-ins with the law, was shot and killed. The main accused, R. A., has claimed in court that another person handed him the gun after shooting the victim, but he refuses to disclose their identity out of fear. Despite denials from several illegal venue employees, two protected witnesses affirm that R. A., who was a fugitive at the time of the incident, was indeed the perpetrator of the murder. The prosecution is seeking a 21-year prison sentence for him in a trial being held with a jury at the Provincial Court of Valladolid.
The trial sessions began with the main accused facing charges of murder, threats, and illegal possession of firearms. His partner, C. S., who is also accused of illegal possession of the gun used in the shooting, was detained alongside him. R. A.’s testimony has focused on his cocaine addiction, the presence of a third individual involved in the death whom he fears, and his role in storing the alleged murder weapon. A native of Salamanca, R. A. has explained that he was evading authorities that summer due to a warrant for domestic violence against his former partner, of which he was later acquitted. Admitting to a drug problem, he claims that while at La Cistiérniga, a person involved in an altercation asked him to hold a gun before they fled to Salamanca. Several witnesses from La Fiestuki have supported his claims, denying his involvement in the shooting. However, the prosecution has criticized their testimonies for inconsistencies during the investigation phase.
Protected witnesses, who testified behind screens, have identified the accused as the perpetrator of the murder. One of them, a friend of the accused who owned the car they used to flee, stated that R. A. confessed to acting in self-defense with the gun during a fight. This witness sought protection after being assaulted in February as a warning not to disclose more information. The other protected witness admitted to receiving threats for hiding the accused at her home while he was on the run. Following the murder, she received intimidating messages, including one warning of dire consequences for crossing the sender. The Guardia Civil officers explained that the arrests were made based on phone interceptions and the initial testimonies from the nightclub workers and witnesses. The prosecutor has urged the jury to be wary of the accused, describing him as a “wolf in sheep’s clothing.”
Overall, the trial for the murder at La Fiestuki in La Cistiérnaga involves conflicting testimonies from witnesses and the accused. The prosecution seeks a lengthy prison sentence for R. A., who maintains his innocence and claims to have been set up by another individual. The protected witnesses have faced threats and intimidation for their involvement in the case, underscoring the stakes of the trial. The proceedings highlight the complexities of the criminal justice system and the challenges of obtaining reliable evidence in cases involving illegal activities and violence. The outcome of the trial remains uncertain as the jury deliberates on the conflicting accounts presented in court.
