343 Years in Jail For Monteverde Massacre
The Fiscal (prosecutor) in the case of the massacre of the Banco Banco Nacional in Monteverde de Puntarenas, Fabricio Volio, made his closing arguments yesterday against Erlín Hurtado, asking the maximum the man be sentenced to 343 years in jail. Under Costa Rican penal law, Hurtado would only have to serve the maximum of 50 years.

The trial, which has been ongoing in the Tribunales de Justicia in Puntarenas, now turns over to the lawyers for the victims, who will make their pleas to the court for a harsh sentence.

Hurtado is charged with 20 counts, including murder, kidnapping and carrying illegal weapons.

During the closing arguments, Volio presented photos and videos of the tragedy that unfolded in the small community on March 8 of 2005, when seven people died, 17 others injured and 31 held hostage in the failed bank robbery by Hurtado and two of his brothers, who were shot dead outside the bank.

The trial now moves into the phase where the lawyers of victims or family of the victims can tell their story and ask for compensation against the Bank and the security company hired by the bank, Seguridad Delta. Eleven lawyers in all will be making their presentations to the court.

The trial is expected to be concluded by November 17th, at which time Hurtado will hear the decision of the three judges and the sentence against him.