Another delay for Almeria murder trial

THERE has been yet another holdup in the Costacabana murder hearing.
“At this rate we shall finish in October,” complained High Court judge Tarsila Martinez when Bernardo Santiago and his three sons came to trial more than three weeks ago in Almeria City.
They are accused of shooting and killing their close relations, Santiago’s brother Bernardo and his son Jose, during a family quarrel over running a pub.
The judge had complained at the length of time taken over selecting a jury and preliminary statements owing to the complexity of the case and the number of defendants.
After a break of a few days, when Tarsila Martinez was taken ill at the beginning of last week’s session, the hearing was suspended and the jury sent home.
A new jury will now have to be sworn in and the trial restarted, to the dissatisfaction of Juan Manuel Santiago, son and brother of the two victims. “We just don’t understand how this can happen, not after waiting three years,” he said.