Woman jailed six years for killing rapist in self-defense

Roxana Ruiz,  accused of killing her rapist in self-defense, was sentenced in a Mexican court to six years and two months in prison.

Judge Mónica Palomino of the Judiciary of the State of Mexico declared the 23-year-old woman guilty of making an “excessive use of legitimate defense”, even though the court recognized that the young woman had been a victim of rape reported by Mexican media. According to the judge, “a blow to the head” was enough to defend herself against her aggressor

” I feel sad, disappointed in justice,” declared Ruiz upon leaving the hearing held in the municipality of Nezahualcóyotl, Mexico. “If I hadn’t defended myself, I would be dead,” said the young woman, who is the mother of a five-year-old boy.

In addition to having been convicted of homicide, the judge imposed a fine for reparation of pecuniary damage of 196,267 pesos and reparation for moral damage of 89,620 pesos that must be delivered to the family of the aggressor.

Roxana’s defense will challenge the penalty. For the moment, she will not go to prison until the appeal is resolved. She was already in prison for nine months before this trial took place.