372 Years
Prison For "Whitehouse Killers"
Tuesday afternoon, almost a year after the
killing spree, Juan Carlos Mena Jiménez and
Cristian Mora Cantillano faced the three
trial judges who would determine their fate
for the rest of the lives. The decision
wasn't a question if they were guilty or
not, but rather, how long would they spend
behind bars.
Shortly before 3:30pm, judges Kathia Jiménez,
Gabriela Rodríguez and Ana Patricia Mora,
told the accused and the public that they
were not convinced of the arguments made by
the defence attorney that the two men were
mentally incapacitated and sentenced the two
to a total of 372 years in prison for murder
and sexual attack on three workers of the
White House hotel and casino in Escazú,
Yerlin Marín Salazar. her sister, Arelis and
Angie Peraza.
The judges sentenced Mena and Mora for rape,
the murder of Yerlin and attempted murder of
Arelis and Angie, as well as host of other
charges including robbery and kidnapping.
Mena was given 179 years, while Mora was
given 193 years.
Judge Kattia Jiménez explained, as is custom
following the reading of a verdict and
sentence, that this was not an easy case and
that the only survivor of the attacks,
Arelis, is scarred for life and the families
have been greatly affected by the actions of
the two men whom the court did not believe
to be mentally incapable at the time.
"You not only intercepted, but in a rage,
ended up in killing", said judge Jiménez.
Carlos Marín, the father of Yerlin and
Arelis said "only the women in this country
wear the pants", referring that only female
judges in the country have the fortitude to
hand down tough sentences against violent
criminals.
The father, though pleased to see that the
two men will be going to jail for their
lives, said he wasn't totally pleased with
the verdict, saying he would have preferred
his own brand of justice.
"They are going to a place where things will
not be very good for them", said Carlos, who
referred to the two as "malditos" and "desgraciados",
suggesting for them to get a cat to test
their food and to sleep with an eye open.
Liliana Umaña, the mother of Pamela Chávez,
who is believed to have been murdered by
Mora and Mena, broke down in tears following
the hearing of the verdict and sentence.
"I do not have the money nor do I know what
to do, but am not happy with the sentence",
said Liliana, explaining that "they" should
have killed themselves when they got the
itch to kill.
The distraught mother said she would the men
be forced to tell who else they have killed,
to bring peace to the other families who
have lost a loved one of murder of which the
two are suspected to have committed. |
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Arelis (standing) reacting to the verdict and sentence of her attackers.
Liliana Umaña, the mother of a woman believed to have been murdered by the two men, spoke to the press after yesterday's sentence hearing.
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