Guilty Verdict for Man Accused of Brutal Murder
The man implicated in the gruesome murder of Natalia, a 45-year-old Colombian woman whose decapitated body was discovered on a Marbella beach, has been convicted. The jury delivered its unanimous verdict on Wednesday, 23 October, finding Leonel H., Natalia’s former partner, guilty of both rape and murder. Despite Leonel H.’s admission of guilt during the trial, he maintained that his actions were not premeditated but were the result of a “momentary impulse”.
Jury Rejects Defendant’s Claim of Impulse
The jury, however, was not swayed by Leonel H.’s argument. They concluded that he had intentionally attempted to conceal evidence by decapitating Natalia and severing her hands before disposing of her body in the sea. Evidence presented during the trial showed that Leonel H. had been harassing Natalia with phone calls in the days leading up to the crime, despite a restraining order against him for gender violence. Natalia had even confided in her family that she felt threatened by Leonel H.
Chilling Details of the Crime
On the day of the crime, Sunday 8 January, Leonel H. persuaded a colleague to rent a windowless cargo van. After collecting the vehicle, they drove to a church where Natalia was known to worship every Sunday. Leonel H. then forced Natalia into the van and drove her to Real Zaragoza beach. The jury found that Leonel H. had taken Natalia by surprise when he murdered her after they had sex.
Brutal Murder Method
The prosecution detailed how Leonel H. had used the ‘mataleón’ technique to suffocate Natalia, a method that involves surprising the victim from behind and wrapping an arm around their neck until they lose consciousness. He then proceeded to decapitate Natalia and sever her hands, also cutting her abdomen before throwing her body into the sea in an attempt to sink it and destroy any evidence.
Contempt for the Victim and Sentence Reduction
The verdict stated that Leonel H. had committed the crime with explicit contempt for Natalia’s gender and had approached her despite knowing about the restraining order against him. His confession upon arrest was taken into account by the court, leading to a reduction in his prison sentence. Initially facing 26 years in prison, the prosecution is now seeking a sentence of 19 and a half years, a request accepted by the defense. Following the jury’s verdict, the court is now set to pass sentence.
