Man Refuses to Testify After Murder in La Plata

Leonardo Matías Palomeque, accused of murdering his ex-father-in-law and injuring his ex-girlfriend, refused to testify. The case highlights problems of gender violence.


Man Refuses to Testify After Murder in La Plata

In the city of La Plata, Leonardo Matías Palomeque, 31 years old, has been accused of stabbing his ex-father-in-law to death and injuring his ex-girlfriend. The incident took place in a house in Villa Elisa, where Palomeque stabbed Marcial Araujo, 50 years old, and caused a minor injury to the left leg of his ex-girlfriend, a 16-year-old teenager.

Before Judge Guillermo Atencio, Palomeque chose not to testify upon the advice of his defense attorney. It was noted that there was a dynamic of physical or psychological subjugation or submission between the accused and the young woman. According to reports, Palomeque broke into the house through a window, started an argument with his ex-girlfriend, and caused the injury to her leg. When Araujo intervened to protect the young woman, Palomeque stabbed him in the chest and then fled.

After the incident, Palomeque was arrested by local police and faces charges of aggravated minor injuries due to the relationship and gender violence, as well as homicide. Authorities are considering the possibility of transferring the accused to a regional prison while the corresponding investigation is carried out.