Jhonier Leal will attend his trial for double homicide in person

Next Hearing in Murder Case to be Held in Person After Connectivity Issues at Prison

The next hearing in the murder case against Jhonier Leal, the main suspect in the killing of stylist Mauricio Leal and his mother Marleny Hernández, will be held with the accused present in court. This decision comes after the connection problems that were experienced at La Picota prison, where Leal has been held since 2022.

Previously, Leal had been presented via internet connection from the prison. However, due to the ongoing connectivity failures at the establishment, the Prosecutor’s Office has requested that Leal attend the next hearing in person on July 5, as scheduled by Judge 55.

This decision not only ensures that Leal’s wish to be present throughout the trial is fulfilled, but it also addresses the previous suspensions of the process due to connection problems. Leal has consistently refused to waive his right to attend his entire trial for the double homicide.

Prosecutor Mario Burgos, who is handling the case against Leal, confirmed during the hearing on June 23 that the defendant will appear in person for his trial on July 5. The aim is to avoid further suspensions caused by internet connection failures.

Burgos stated, “Your Honor, through your channel, Mr. Jhonier Rodolfo Leal Hernández is informed that the next session will be transferred in person to this courtroom, so that there is no kind of difficulty at the time of authorizing by him the transfer to it.”

The decision to hold the hearing in person was made after the June 23 hearing was suspended when the internet connection with La Picota prison, where Leal is held, failed during the testimony of Armando Rodríguez Lozano, a forensic graphologist from the Institute of Legal Medicine.

Burgos explained, “We were taking the pertinent steps to achieve connectivity for Mr. Jhonier from La Picota prison. The lady director and a dragoon have stated that connectivity problems continue, but because of the signal inhibitors, it is very difficult for cell phones to have a permanent signal.”

Leal’s defense attorney, Ana Julieth Velázquez, reported that her client wishes to attend each of the hearings against him. She assured that Leal wants to hear all the details of the investigation that accuses him of the murder of Mauricio Leal and Marleny Hernandez.

Velázquez stated, “In fact, I had the opportunity to talk with Jhonier Leal, and he reiterated that his interest was to be in all the proceedings, to hear first-hand how much what was being discussed would affect his freedom. So, he did not waive his right to be at the hearing and wants to be present at this one and the following ones.”

It is important to note that Judge 55 had asked Leal if he wanted to renounce his right to attend his trial due to the connection failures preventing him from appearing remotely. However, Leal rejected this proposal.

During the hearing, CTI investigator Olga Lucía Rincón Suárez spoke about Leal’s initial reaction when the crime scene was inspected at his residence in La Calera, Cundinamarca, where the bodies of Mauricio Leal and Marleny Hernandez were found.

Rincón stated, “At the time the inspection was taking place, Mr. Jhonier was sometimes seen in front of us, and he had a white jacket and always had his hands in his pockets. He never asked us anything about the bodies, he didn’t cry, he never showed any feelings.”

She added, “I have been in this work for 20 years, and I have seen the feelings of the people, of the relatives, but he never showed any alteration or anything that was abnormal. It was all very normal for him. He always saw what we were doing with our hands inside his jacket.”

The next hearing on July 5 will provide an opportunity for Leal to be present in court and hear the proceedings firsthand.

What impact will the accused being physically present in court have on the effectiveness and fairness of the judicial process in the murder case against Jhonier Leal

Ectivity is currently unstable due to technical issues. Therefore, we consider it necessary for him to be present at the next hearing in person.”

The defense team did not oppose the request made by the Prosecutor’s Office, and the judge approved the decision for the hearing to take place in court.

Jhonier Leal is facing charges for the murder of stylist Mauricio Leal and his mother Marleny Hernández. The killings occurred in 2022, and Leal has been held at La Picota prison since then. Despite the difficulties with the prison’s internet connection, Leal has consistently expressed his desire to be present throughout the entire trial.

The decision to hold the next hearing in person on July 5 ensures that Leal’s wish is fulfilled and prevents further delays caused by connectivity issues. The prosecution seeks to proceed with the trial smoothly and address any concerns that may arise due to the previous suspensions.

With the accused present in court, both the prosecution and defense will have the opportunity to present their arguments and evidence more effectively. This in-person hearing will contribute to a fair and efficient judicial process in the murder case against Jhonier Leal.