The Madrid Provincial Court sentenced Fernando R.C., a local police officer, to 39 years and six months in prison. He killed an elderly woman by throwing her down the stairs of his home in Ciempozuelos (Madrid). This crime occurred just 20 days after he attempted murder by causing a traffic accident, all with the aim of stealing her money.
The Second Chamber of the Provincial Court handed down the sentence against this officer, who was found guilty by a popular jury of murder and attempted murder for killing 83-year-old Teresa L.L. on February 29, 2020. He had previously forged her will to claim her inheritance and impersonated her to obtain power of attorney over her accounts, from which he stole approximately half a million euros.
The court imposed a prison sentence of 22 years for murder, 10 years for attempted murder, six years for forgery of a public document in connection with a fraud offense, and a further year and six months for an additional forgery of a public document.
Acquittal of the charge of theft of property
The verdict, which can be appealed to the Madrid Supreme Court (TJSM), acquits him of the charge of hoarding assets, as well as his ex-wife, who was also found not guilty. This happened despite the popular jury finding the commission of the crime proven. Furthermore, the verdict declares null and void both the will forged by the police officer, which made him his victim’s heir, and the power of attorney he used to control her bank accounts.
The court also orders him to pay a fine of approximately €6,360 and to pay four-fifths of the legal costs. He will be completely deprived of certain rights for the duration of his sentences for murder and attempted murder.
During the trial, the prosecution sought a 44-year prison sentence, while the private prosecutor, representing the victim’s family, requested a reviewable life sentence. His defense, however, asked that the maximum sentence for murder not be imposed, arguing that the jury had failed to recognize the victim’s helplessness.
A Provoked Accident
When the woman fell down the stairs, she was barely mobile and required oxygen and a walker after being involved in a traffic accident in which she hit a tree at 40 km/h. This accident resulted in her being admitted to intensive care and was classified by the jury and the court as attempted murder.
During the trial, the convicted man admitted to impersonating the elderly woman in order to obtain power of attorney over her accounts. However, he denied causing her death, claiming the fall was accidental. This happened when the couple were alone after sending the maid to do the shopping. The forensic report concluded that violent force on Teresa caused her to fall down the stairs.
On the day of her death, the woman searched the internet for ways to fake tears. Previously, the convicted man had spent his money on a toupee, a hot tub, and various appliances, as well as withdrawing thousands of euros in cash. In his pursuit of luxury, he even considered divorcing and marrying the octogenarian in order to inherit.
