Overview
- Judge Pablo Busaniche convicted Iván Mercado Reyes and Norma Elena Vega of homicidio culposo on Monday, June 8, and sentenced Reyes to four years and Vega to three years of conditional imprisonment.
- Forensic testimony from local and national experts concluded Diego Román died from a hemorrhage caused by coordinated animal bites, and laboratory tests found hairs on his clothing that matched two dogs owned by the couple.
- Prosecutors had argued for a harsher homicide charge with dolo eventual, saying prior attacks and inadequate fencing showed the owners knew the dogs posed a lethal risk.
- The defense immediately announced it will appeal and prosecutors said they will study the written judgment before deciding on their own appeal, so the sentence is not final and will likely be reviewed by higher courts.
- The verdict closes a long-running trial of more than 90 witnesses but leaves community doubts and possible changes to local animal control enforcement depending on how appeals and higher courts rule.