In Santiago de Cuba, three individuals have been handed life sentences for the murder of a motorcyclist, following a trial at the Provincial People's Court. This verdict was announced by the Provincial Prosecutor's Office on Facebook.
As detailed in the official statement, the crime unfolded when the accused conspired to steal a motorcycle, intending to sell its parts on the black market.
Their plan was set in motion near the Alejandro Urgellés Sports Hall, described as a secluded and dimly lit area. One of the men took on the role of lookout, while the other two headed towards the vicinity of the Antonio Maceo Revolution Square to find a victim.
They encountered a motorcyclist and asked for a ride to a location where they claimed another person was waiting for them.
During the journey, one of the attackers, armed with a knife, assaulted the motorcyclist from behind while traveling on the vehicle. The victim suffered a severe abdominal wound, which punctured the liver, right kidney, and colon.
The two assailants inflicted approximately 27 wounds on the victim, while the third accomplice seized the motorcycle and fled the scene.
Afterward, they moved the motorcycle to another location, where they dismantled it for parts to sell.
Upon searching their homes, authorities discovered motorcycle components and other belongings of the victim.
In court, the prosecutor requested life imprisonment for the defendants, a request granted after evidence was presented. They also faced additional penalties, including the loss of certain rights.
The case was classified as murder under Article 344, sections a) and m) of the Cuban Penal Code (Law 151/22), with the defendants held accountable as co-authors per Article 20.1.2 c) of the same legislation.
The Prosecutor's Office asserted that throughout the case proceedings and the trial, procedural guarantees and due process, as outlined in the Constitution and the Criminal Procedure Law, were respected.
Understanding the Legal Implications in Cuban Murder Cases
What legal provisions were applied in this murder case?
The murder was prosecuted under Article 344, sections a) and m) of the Cuban Penal Code (Law 151/22), with the accused charged as co-authors according to Article 20.1.2 c).
Were the defendants' rights upheld during the trial?
Yes, the Prosecutor's Office emphasized that all procedural guarantees and due process were maintained, in alignment with the Constitution and the Criminal Procedure Law.