John Poulos Sentenced to Over 42 Years for the Murder of Colombian DJ Valentina Trespalacios
John Poulos, an American citizen, was sentenced to 42 years and eight months in prison by the 10th Court of Knowledge of Bogotá for the aggravated femicide of the young Colombian DJ Valentina Trespalacios. The conviction also includes charges of concealment, alteration, or destruction of evidence. The crime, which took place in January 2023, has drawn significant attention in Colombia, especially given Trespalacios' rising prominence in the music industry.
The Colombian Prosecutor's Office presented compelling evidence during the trial, including security camera footage that showed Poulos wrapping Trespalacios' body, hiding it in a suitcase, and abandoning it in a garbage container in Fontibón, Bogotá. Authorities discovered the body hours later. The court deemed the evidence sufficient to establish Poulos' guilt, although the sentence was five years less than the 47-and-a-half years prosecutors had initially requested.
In addition to the prison sentence, Poulos is prohibited from contacting Trespalacios' family for 20 years and will be expelled from Colombia post-sentence. The defense claims Poulos is innocent, arguing that he should be charged with homicide instead of femicide, which would merit a lesser sentence. Poulos' defense lawyer, Fredy Spíndola, indicated plans to appeal the decision, citing alleged collusion among witnesses.
The victim's legal team, however, hailed the ruling as a 'fair' decision acknowledging the multifaceted violence Trespalacios endured. Miguel Ángel del Río, the lawyer for Trespalacios' family, emphasized that the verdict aligns with their longstanding theory that Trespalacios was subjected to numerous forms of violence, including psychological and physical abuse.
The case has sparked significant emotional and public response in Colombia, a country grappling with high rates of femicide. According to the Colombian Observatory of Feminicides, 612 femicides were reported in 2022. The judicial authority recorded 100 femicides during the same period.
- Poulos was apprehended in January 2023 at Panama Airport while attempting to flee to Türkiye. His capture and subsequent deportation back to Colombia marked the beginning of a high-profile trial that culminated almost a year and a half later with his conviction and sentencing.
- The case of Valentina Trespalacios stands out in a broader context of violence against women in Colombia. Non-governmental organizations and judicial authorities alike underscore the importance of judicial outcomes in addressing the pervasive issue of femicide in the country.