This Monday, January 27, the trial for the murder of the Cathedral canon, Alfonso López Benito, which occurred in January 2024, has begun in Valencia, with a single defendant in the dock and the existence of an alleged accomplice who, two years after the events, remains unidentified.
According to El Debate, the prosecution is requesting a 28-year prison sentence for the young man of Peruvian origin on trial for murder, as well as violent robbery and fraud. The defendant has been in provisional custody since just a few days after the crime.
The discovery of the body after the feast of San Vicente Mártir
January 22 is a significant date in the city of Valencia due to the celebration of San Vicente Mártir. In 2024, however, the absence of the then canon of the Cathedral from the liturgical events drew attention, as it was a completely unusual occurrence.
The suspicion was confirmed the following day, when the caretaker of the building located on the central calle Avellanas, behind the Cathedral, accessed the priest’s apartment and found his lifeless body, lying on the bed with evident signs of strangulation. Subsequent investigations placed the time of death in the early hours of January 21 to 22.
From the very beginning, the investigators noted that the apartment showed no signs of having been ransacked and that the door lock had not been forced, ruling out a conventional burglary. These circumstances led the inquiries to focus on the canon’s close circle.
A relationship of trust as the key to the crime
The investigations pointed to a young Peruvian man as the main suspect, who had a friendship with the victim and had been seen by witnesses in the vicinity of the residence on dates close to the crime.
According to the case file, referenced by the Tribunal Superior de Justicia de la Comunidad Valenciana (TSJCV), the defendant would have gone to the priest’s apartment around 11:00 p.m. on January 21, 2024, accompanied by another person of Colombian nationality, who acted in agreement with him and has not been identified.
Taking advantage of the relationship of trust, the canon would have allowed them entry. Once inside and with the victim alone, the defendant, aware of where the money and bank cards were kept, would have subdued him, asphyxiating him until causing his death, without the elderly man being able to defend himself.
Robbery, fraud, and a request for 28 years in prison
In addition to the murder charge, the prosecution claims that the defendant took possession of the priest’s mobile phone and several bank cards. Subsequently, he would have made cash withdrawals, purchases at department stores, and various payments, totaling an allegedly defrauded amount of 2,327.16 euros.
The prosecution is requesting a total sentence of 28 years in prison for these acts. The defendant’s request for provisional release was denied by the court due to a real and current risk of flight, given the severity of the charges and the proximity of the trial.
Trial by jury and an accomplice still unlocated
As provided by law, the trial is being held with a popular jury. According to the TSJCV, the sessions are taking place on January 26, 27, 28, 29, and 30, as well as February 2 and 3, without interruption. The jury will have to rule on the guilt or innocence of the defendant.
One of the most striking aspects of the process is the lack of identification of the alleged accomplice. The Audiencia de Valencia itself has pointed out that the Police did not carry out effective measures to locate him and that only late inquiries were made, after the defense requested explanations about the absence of investigations in this regard.