Lawyer Details Benefits Juan Carlos Suárez Lost by Rejecting Charges in Moreno’s Case
Juan Carlos Suárez Ortiz is the main suspect in the homicide of Jaime Esteban Moreno Jaramillo. Formal charges were presented against him for aggravated homicide on November 5, 2025. These charges are linked to the death of Moreno, a 20-year-old Systems Engineering student from the University of the Andes, who was killed after a Halloween party on the morning of October 31.
Charges and Legal Framework
According to the Colombian Penal Code, aggravated homicide carries a potential sentence of 40 to 50 years in prison for those found guilty. Despite this, Suárez Ortiz has denied the charges. A continuation of the proceedings is scheduled for November 6, 2025.
Insights from Legal Experts
Francisco Bernate, a Colombian criminal lawyer, commented that Suárez’s refusal to accept responsibility affects his legal standing. Bernate indicated that accepting the charges would have granted him a potential 50% reduction in his sentence. He noted this could either mean Suárez is committed to proving his innocence or seeking a different agreement with the prosecutor’s office.
- Potential Sentence: 40 to 50 years for aggravated homicide.
- Plea Options: Accepting charges could reduce the sentence significantly.
Defense Strategies
Saúl León, another criminal defense attorney, highlighted that Suárez’s recent denial to accept charges might not indicate a final decision to go to trial. It could be a strategy to secure procedural and penal benefits. León explained that Suárez’s access to evidence will allow him and his defense team to evaluate the situation more thoroughly, potentially leading to a plea bargain with prosecutors.
Legal Distinctions
Legal experts clarified the different types of homicide definitions in Colombian law. These include:
- Doloso Homicide: Intentional killing with full knowledge of the consequences.
- Culpable Homicide: Results from negligence or lack of foresight.
- Preterintentional Homicide: Intention to cause harm without necessarily aiming to kill.
León emphasized that proving the incident was preterintentional could lead to a reduced sentence of 15 to 18 years. Additionally, accepting charges in conjunction with a plea agreement could further lower the penalty.
Next Steps in the Case
During the upcoming hearing on November 6, Claudia Rodríguez, a prosecutor from the Immediate Reaction Unit of Engativa, will request Suárez’s imprisonment due to the serious nature of the charges against him. The outcome of this case will depend heavily on the defense strategy adopted and the evidence presented.
