After four hours of deliberation, the jury in the Alicante Provincial Court delivered a unanimous verdict on Thursday, finding the 73-year-old Finnish man guilty of murdering and dismembering his partner in Torrevieja. The trial lasted four days, and the outcome seemed almost inevitable, given that the accused himself admitted to the prosecution’s account of the events.
In the opening session, the defendant briefly confirmed the prosecution’s version of events with a simple “yes.” Throughout the trial, further evidence, including witness testimony, expert reports, and forensic documentation, reinforced the prosecution’s claim of two key aggravating factors: treachery and cruelty. The jury agreed with the prosecution’s stance on both points.
The act was deemed premeditated by the court, supported by incriminating notes found in the accused’s mobile phone. The notes contained insulting messages and detailed plans for how he intended to kill his partner, further solidifying the prosecution’s case that the murder was planned. The defence could not counter this clear evidence of premeditation.
While the premeditation was clear, the prosecution also raised the issue of cruelty. The accused inflicted numerous stab wounds on the victim after she had already died, causing unnecessary pain. This act was corroborated by the forensic reports, which detailed the extent of the injuries. Additionally, the aggravating factor of kinship was applied, as the victim was the accused’s partner.
The private prosecution, handled by the Torrevieja-based law firm Chapapría-Navarro y Asociados, welcomed the jury’s decision. Lawyer Juan Chapapría stated that the verdict would bring some peace to the family of the deceased, expressing satisfaction with how the jury understood the facts.
Now, attention turns to the sentencing. The prosecution initially requested a 25-year prison term for the accused. However, the private prosecution has suggested that they may be open to negotiating a sentence of at least 22.5 years, depending on potential civil liability considerations. The public prosecutor has since aligned their request with the private prosecution’s proposal.
The events leading to the trial date back to October 2021. According to the prosecution, the accused strangled his partner, with whom he had been in a relationship for 18 months, before stabbing her multiple times in the chest, back, and neck. Afterward, he bought a saw, dismembered her body, and discarded the parts in separate containers. Security cameras caught him in the act, and the discovery of the victim’s legs and arm by a passerby led to the alarm being raised.
