Witnesses testify in trial against “El Diabólico” for attack that caused deaths in front of Unaerc

Justice

Witnesses testify in trial against “El Diabólico” for attack that caused deaths in front of Unaerc

Gang member faces trial for attack outside Unaerc, where at least five people were killed, including a gang member.

Jorge Jair de León Hernández, alias “the diabolic”, appears by videoconference in a hearing for armed attack outside Unaerc. (Prensa Libre photo: Carlos Ochoa)

A Mara Salvatrucha gang member faces trial for attacking a member of the Barrio 18 gang who was attending a medical consultation at the National Unit for Chronic Kidney Disease Care (UNAERC), in Zone 1.

Jorge Jair de León Hernández, alias “El Diabólico”, one of the leaders of the Mara Salvatrucha gang, appeared this Friday, August 23, via videoconference in a courtroom.

The hearing was held in the trial against him in which he is accused of leading an armed attack on August 26, 2016 against Gerber Alejandro Calderón, alias “El Fat”, a member of the Barrio 18 gang, who died.

A prison guard and three other people who were in the area also died in the attack.

For this reason, alias “El Diabólico” faces trial in the High Risk Court B for murder and attempted murder.

The attack occurred outside UNAERC when alias El Fat was being transferred for a medical appointment.

Witnesses appeared before the judge on Friday to testify in the case, including a National Civil Police officer, who identified the weapon that was allegedly used in the crime.

For further reading: Mingob could offer medical care in prisons due to the attack in Unaerc

Investigations also revealed that the attackers were travelling in a vehicle that was later abandoned near the crime scene.

A bulletproof vest and a rifle were found in the vehicle, which was presented as evidence in the case.

On the day of the attack, August 26, 2016, patients were lining up outside Unaerc headquarters like any other day. They waited among street vendors and passing vehicles on the busy 9th Avenue and 3rd Street in Zone 1 of the capital.