One of the most high-profile trials of recent years has concluded in Girona. A jury found a resident of Campdevànol guilty of torturing his young partner in September 2022, acts which led to her death. The defendant, 39-year-old Alberto Pinto Pérez, was charged with murder with exceptional cruelty, sexual assault involving dangerous objects, and repeated domestic abuse.
The trial lasted several days. The jury, made up of six women and three men, unanimously convicted the man on all charges. During the hearings, it was revealed that over a period of two days, he inflicted numerous injuries on his victim—experts counted more than 130 wounds on the woman’s body. All the injuries were sustained while the victim was still alive, and she was unable to leave the apartment: her phone was destroyed and the exit was blocked.
The investigation found that the defendant acted with full awareness, was not under the influence of psychoactive substances, and did not suffer from any mental disorders. The defense argued otherwise, claiming he had experienced a psychotic episode and had a history of prolonged drug addiction; however, expert analysis found no evidence to support these claims. The jury could not identify a single mitigating factor.
Details of the crime and the positions of both sides
Case materials indicate that the accused systematically humiliated and controlled his partner, a fact reflected even in how he saved her contact in his phone. Over two days, he beat her with his hands, feet, and various objects, inflicting not only physical but also psychological pain. Injuries included multiple fractures, burns, and severe damage to intimate areas.
The prosecution and private accusers are demanding the maximum penalty—life imprisonment with the possibility of review, along with additional sentences for sexual assault and repeated abuse. The defense lawyer acknowledged the gravity of the crime but requested a 39-year prison term, excluding life imprisonment. The jury also opposed the possibility of parole or pardon for the convicted.
Potential consequences and public outcry
This case could become the first in the region where a Girona court imposes a life sentence with review. The public in Catalonia and across Spain is closely following the proceedings, as the case has sparked broad debate and brought issues of domestic violence and victim protection to the forefront. The final verdict is expected soon.
