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Roberto Pettinato Defends Son as Trial Over Fatal Apartment Fire Nears Verdict

The case hinges on whether prosecutors proved who started the blaze that killed neurologist Melchor Rodrigo.

Overview

  • Roberto Pettinato said in a TV interview that there are no conclusive proofs against his son Felipe and urged judges to acquit him.
  • Felipe is charged with causing a fire that led to a death, a serious offense in Argentine law known as estrago doloso seguido de muerte.
  • The victim’s legal team asked for a 15-year prison term, while the prosecutor requested four years and seven months, underscoring deep splits over the evidence.
  • The defense argued prosecutors never established a clear, step‑by‑step account of the fire’s origin, noted Felipe remained silent as allowed by law, and cited records that he and Rodrigo used drugs together that day.
  • Courts plan to issue the verdict in a virtual hearing, leaving the outcome to turn on whether circumstantial and forensic clues meet the criminal burden of proof.