Panama’s La Joyita Prison Massacre of 2019: Twelve People Found Guilty

A Summary of the Case:

• The Incident: On December 17, 2019, an internal gang shoot-out erupted in cell block 14 of the La Joyita prison in Panama, leaving 13 inmates dead and 14 wounded.

• The Trial: The trial for the 12 suspects accused of aggravated intentional homicide and attempted homicide was actively taking place at the Accusatory Penal System (SPA) in Panama.

• The Proceedings: The case was being decided by a “jury of conscience” (a jury composed of civilians). The prosecution’s theory attributes the massacre to gang warfare and details how an arsenal of smuggled firearms, including AK-47 assault rifles, was used in the violence.

A jury composed of five men and three women found 12 inmates at La Joyita prison guilty of participating in the murder of 13 inmates during a riot on December 17, 2019.  At the start of the trial, the prosecution, in its theory of the case, argued that within the pavilion where some 200 inmates were located, instructions were received to settle scores with a group of opposing inmates. This is an ongoing story. We will add more news as it becomes available to us. Stay tuned.

12 Inmates Found Guilty of Aggravated Homicide:  The Massacre at La Joyita

After three continuous weeks of trial, a jury of conscience declared 12 citizens guilty, as authors, of the crimes of aggravated intentional homicide against 13 people and of the crime of aggravated intentional homicide in the degree of attempted homicide of 11 more people, for an event recorded at the La Joyita Penitentiary Center in December 2019.  The verdict was driven by the Attorney General’s Office, through the Specialized Section for Homicides/Femicides in the metropolitan area. 

According to the investigation, the events occurred on December 17, 2019, in the afternoon, at the La Joyita Penitentiary Center, specifically in Pavilion 14, when the accused attacked a group of inmates who were also confined in said pavilion.  The investigation indicates that the attackers fired multiple shots, hitting several victims. They also used bladed weapons to assault other inmates.  As a result, 13 inmates died and 11 were injured. Dozens of other inmates who were preparing to leave that cellblock were also endangered.