Panama Chiriquí Province: 375-Year Prison Sentence for Double Murder Requested
The body of one of the victims was inside the car, the other was left lying outside. The sentencing of the five defendants has been scheduled for September 14.
The homicide and femicide prosecutor’s office convicted five people after the oral trial concluded last Friday night for the homicide and aggravated robbery of lawyer Marvin Lezcano, 51, and his partner Jorge Quintero, 55. The incident occurred on March 31, 2022, in El Valle de Las Lomas, David district. Those convicted are Kevin Serrud, José Cerrud, Miguel Aparicio, William Cortés, and Daniel Moreno. Héctor Castillo was acquitted after his defense, led by attorney Cristóbal Sánchez, successfully discredited the Public Prosecutor’s Office’s theory of the case. Sánchez based his argument on alleged flaws in the investigation, such as the incorrect presentation of evidence, inconsistencies in the timeline, the absence of forensic inspections, and the lack of full substantiation of the prosecutor’s allegations.
During the intermediate phase of the trial, Judge Roger Ibarra admitted 95 witnesses, 23 expert witnesses, 42 documents evidence, and 32 materials evidence. The Public Prosecutor’s Office requested maximum sentences of 30 years in prison for aggravated homicide, in addition to sentences for aggravated robbery and criminal association. The case dates back to March 31, 2022, when authorities found a vehicle in Las Lomas containing the lifeless body of attorney Lezcano inside. His partner was found seriously injured outside the car and died hours later in the hospital. Both suffered gunshot wounds.
