Galician High Court Acquits Alejandro Míguez in Samuel Luiz Murder Case Amidst Controversial Evidence
The Superior Court of Justice of Galicia has officially cleared Alejandro Míguez of involvement in the murder of Samuel Luiz due to a significant lack of evidence, as outlined in a ruling published on Thursday. Míguez was previously convicted as an accomplice, but the high court determined that circumstantial evidence was insufficient for a conviction.
In a decision dated May 20, the court acquitted Míguez while upholding the convictions of three other individuals involved in the incident: Diego Montaña, aged 24, who faces additional charges related to homophobia; and Alejandro Freire Yumba and Kaio Amaral Silva, both 20 years old. Their sentences were further modified to include the theft of Samuel Luiz's mobile phone, which occurred during the group assault that led to his death on July 3, 2021, near Riazor beach in A Coruña.
The court's ruling highlights the absence of direct evidence against Míguez. The jurors noted that they relied mainly on circumstantial evidence, dismissing a thesis previously supported by the National Police that directly linked him to the assault. Among the points raised in the ruling was a video depicting Míguez running towards the scene, attempting to enter the tumultuous crowd but being pushed away.
Míguez reportedly stated, 'I couldn't do anything because a black guy pushed me', referring to one of the individuals from Senegal who was attempting to assist the victim, Samuel Luiz. The ruling interpreted this statement as having a dual meaning—either he was unable to help or unwilling to engage. However, the court pointed out that no witnesses testified that Míguez physically confronted the victim or prevented assistance.
The ruling emphasized the principle of presumption of innocence, arguing that the burden of proof cannot be shifted to the accused. As a result, Míguez’s 10-year prison sentence as an accomplice was revoked.
Conversely, the court confirmed the sentences for the other three defendants, noting clear intent to kill and premeditation in their actions. It was established that there were no indications of defense on the part of Samuel Luiz, thereby confirming the charge of murder rather than manslaughter, as argued by the defense.
The high court's judgment dismissed claims regarding mitigating factors such as intoxication and psychological distress, underscoring the aggravating factor of homophobia specifically for Diego Montaña.
This ruling is not final, as the possibility of an appeal to the Supreme Court remains open. Thus, the legal battle surrounding this high-profile case may continue, as communities and advocates for justice closely monitor the developments.
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