Gay man who killed his mother and brother was sentenced to life imprisonment

Cristian Bernasconi has been sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering his mother and brother in May last year, as they harrassed them for being homosexual.

Court IV sentenced the 19-year-old teenager in La Plata, on charges of “double homicide over the bond and treachery.”

The decision was made by judges Gloria Berzosa, Emir Caputo Tártara and Juan Carlos Bruni. Prosecutor Ruben Sarlo requested life imprisonment.

The Court’s chief, Amir Caputo Tártara, ruled out the “unconsciousness” in the murderer and the state of “violent emotion”that the defense arguemented.

Nicholas Malpeli, defense attorney, said: “It’s a long road and this is just the beginning.We still have Cassation, the Court and International Tribunals.” He had expected that the judges would understand that there were “extraordinary mitigating circumstances” in the case.

Malpeli accused the experts who testified during the trial of not being clear: “The Court should have ordered more psychological and psychiatric studies,” he added.

For his part, the prosecutor said he did not believe the version of harassment by the family group. On the other hand, the rejection of his homosexuality was the catalyst for the tragedy, according to the defense.

Bernasconi’s lawyer said he was an “easy prey” and that the motive for the murder was the young man’s personal life. “They called him Marilyn or sissy and the would not let him see his boyfriend,” said Malpeli.

Bernasconi listened calmly to his sentence and he only broke down when he greeted his boyfriend Matias.

After the verdict, the teenager was transferred to the prison of Florencio Varela, where he is staying in a gay block.