Cordoba child murder case trial set for June

THE trial against Jose Breton, accused of murdering his two children, will begin on June 17.

Ruth, six, and Jose, two, were reported missing by their father on October 8, 2011, in Cordoba.

Breton claimed from the outset that his children were snatched, but his story of how they disappeared made police suspect his involvement. He was arrested on October 18, 2011 and has been in prison ever since.

The children’s remains were allegedly found on a bonfire on a property belonging to his parents.

A first report regarding the remains found on the fire said that they were not human, but a later report, in September 2012, claimed the opposite.

Although the fire was made so hot that it destroyed any DNA evidence, other evidence points to him having killed his two children. The private accusation is asking for 40 years in prison.

Breton has claimed he is bankrupt, so he will not be able to pay the cost of €140,000 for the investigation or any compensation to the children’s mother which could amount to €1 million for each child.

The trial is due to end on the week between July 8 and 12, after more than 100 people have given their statements.

However, on May 8, the Andalucian Supreme Court of Justice will hear the appeal presented by Breton’s lawyer, which was rejected by the Cordoba Provincial Court.

His lawyer alleges that irregularities have been committed during the investigation to frame Breton. He also says his client’s human rights were breached, chain of custody broken and the right to a fair trial violated.

He is hoping the Andalucian Supreme Court of Justice will throw out evidence from the trial, including the bone fragments believe to belong to the children, which he says, “can’t be guaranteed to be the same which were initially analysed”.

He also said that conversations between him and his client, and with Breton’s relatives have been recorded without authorisation.