Last April 2 was the last swearing in at the Alto Valle Oeste Bar Association. Two days before, the presence of Fernando Burlando was a fact. It is that from their legal study they had presented documentation for the media to travel to Cipolletti to obtain their registration, necessary requirement to litigate in the province. The objective was to be in a position to defend Ramiro Gutiérrez, accused of the crime of Facundo Castillo, on December 19, 2021.
The family of the young man from Roca, suspected of running over and killing Facundo with fraud, hired the Buenos Aires buffet for advice, with the possibility of taking the defense in case of being convicted. With the cipoleño registration, Burlando was in a position to litigate from next Monday when the trial by jury is scheduled to begin in the Fourth Circumscription of Río Negro.
Sources from the Bar Association assured that in the last three months Burlando tried to formalize the documentation for the oathbut that he always lacked some paper to complete the requirements.
It is speculated that the failure of Cipolletti’s trial is directly linked to his political candidacy in the province of Buenos Aires. During 2020 and 2021 Burlando added more than one hundred hours of television for the Fernando Baez Sosa case. It was a springboard to achieve empathy and public legitimacy.
During that time, the media drew a narrative both in the courts and in reality shows and television studios. He could be seen in a suit, dressed informally and even reading files with his baby in his arms. Finally, it was shown in a campaign spot with a white tank top.
All that constructed narrative could quickly fall by association if it transcends to the capital media that he is defending a defendant in the Alto Valle for a crime with so much media coverage. Even more so with the identification that produced the story of Facundo Castillo. In fact, when RÍO NEGRO reported on his hiring, there was much criticism on social networks against the lawyer.
From the Bar Association they assured that two days before the swearing in on April 2 they communicated from the staff for that purpose, but before the last request the contact was terminated. Last year, at the end of November, Burlando revolutionized the courts with his presence at one of the prosecution control hearings in this case. He appeared as a listener with several of the lawyers who are part of his team.
He did not give statements but it was learned that he had been hired by the Gutiérrez family for a millionaire amount. Then, before the end of the year, part of the staff traveled again to give a press conference. There they indicated that they had been hired as legal advisors and also to take charge of the communication part. They did it in a room of the Casino.
It is not known what experience the Burlando law firm has in Communication matters, beyond the experience of the media. There are agencies in the country such as the one that advised Judge Sandra Arroyo Salgado, widow of prosecutor Alberto Nisman, and Carlos Carrascosa in the García Belsunce case.
Today the last hearing prior to the start of the trial is scheduled, it will be before the judge who will carry out the technical part of the debate, Florencia Caruso, to adjust issues related to the process.
Friday will be time for jury selection. The 60 pre-selected must appear in the courts of Urquiza and Spain so that the defense, the prosecution and the complaint choose the 12 titular people and the four substitutes who will judge Gutiérrez. The start of the trial is scheduled for Monday 8.30 and will last until Friday.
What does the accusation against Gutiérrez say?
According to the accusation, in the early morning of December 19, 2021, after a party that took place at the La Nonina farm, there was a discussion between the accused and Castillo’s friends. Minutes later, Gutiérrez got into his BMW X1 model truck, He crossed the red light and made a U turn and accelerated in the direction of the shoulder where the young people were.
He hit Facundo with the front of his truck. He dragged him 14 meters and killed him. While another person managed to push the group of five friends and saved them from being run over.
The prosecution and the complaint accused him of the crime of simple homicide and months later they added five attempted homicides.
To comment on this note you must have your digital access.
Subscribe to add your opinion!
Subscribe