The People's Supreme Court of Cuba upheld the life sentence issued by the Provincial Court of Matanzas to the murderer of a Cuban family, including a seven-year-old boy, on a farm in that province, in May 2023.
The news of the life imprisonment sentence for Víctor Luis Hozman Reyes, the perpetrator of the horrific crime that cut short the lives of Maykel González Medina, Linet Lucía Medina, and their young son, was reported by official media outlets.
The evening broadcast of the National Television News reported this Wednesday on the hearing for case number 53 of 2024, held in the Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court, which upheld the sentence in response to an appeal filed by the defendant.
Hozman Reyes was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his father, mother, and youngest son on May 19, 2023, at the El Resplandor farm in the Bellotex neighborhood of Pueblo Nuevo, in the city of Matanzas, a heartless crime that shocked the Matanzas community and Cubans in general.
The report from Cuban state television emphasized that the accused "intentionally and using blunt and sharp instruments, caused the death of the three individuals in a ruthless manner."
In the trial, shocking details were revealed. After committing his horrific crime, Hozman Reyes “slept in the very bed of his victims”, in addition to consuming alcoholic beverages and taking “a substantial amount of money and several belongings of the deceased.”
Documentary, testimonial, and expert evidence demonstrated the criminal liability of the accused, who was sanctioned for three counts of murder and one of theft, reported the news outlet.
In a post shared on Facebook after the news broke, the official communicator Henry Omar Pérez wrote: “Let the full weight of the law fall!”, however, he did not hesitate to express his opinion on the ruling: “Honestly, death penalty is what a human being who disrespected the lives of so many people deserves.” Many of the internet users who commented on the post agreed with his viewpoint.
Hozman Reyes, a former reservist of the Armed Forces, was a neighbor and friend of the family that he brutally murdered with a machete, according to sources close to the victims revealed at the time.
The accused owned a mechanic's workshop, just like Maykel, whom he took the life of with the intention to steal the money he had stored in his house and other valuables, such as jewelry that, according to witnesses, he was flaunting hours after the brutal homicides.
Two days after the tragic event became known, the Ministry of the Interior (MININT) confirmed the arrest of Hozman Reyes at Jibacoa beach, in the province of Mayabeque, while he was attempting to leave the country; however, they did not disclose the identity of the suspect. According to the authorities, the individual was found in possession of items that linked him to the heinous crime from the outset.
The trial of the accused is set to begin on July 2, 2024, at the Provincial People's Court of Matanzas, according to an announcement made days earlier by Maykel's sister, Adamarys González, who called for “an iron fist against that murderer who has no rights in this life” and wished that “the full weight of the law falls upon him, especially the punishment of God.”
Frequently Asked Questions about Crime in Matanzas and the Situation of Violence in Cuba
Who was convicted for the murder of the family in Matanzas?
Víctor Luis Hozman Reyes was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Maykel González Medina, Linet Lucía Medina, and her seven-year-old son in Matanzas, which occurred in May 2023.
What was the motive for the crime in Matanzas?
The murder was motivated by theft. Hozman Reyes killed his neighbor and friend Maykel González Medina to steal money and jewelry, which he later displayed publicly. The crime was a premeditated act aimed at stealing material goods.
What is the current situation of violence in Cuba?
Cuba is facing a growing wave of violence, exacerbated by the economic and social crisis. In 2024, numerous crimes were reported, including femicides and murders related to thefts, which has created fear and outrage among citizens.
What measures are Cuban citizens demanding in response to current violence?
In the face of the wave of violence, many citizens in Cuba are demanding justice and exemplary measures, such as the reactivation of the death penalty to punish these atrocious acts. There is a call for an improvement in the actions of the authorities to respond to citizen alerts and prevent future crimes.
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