A former police colonel has been sentenced to 33 years and nine months in prison for the murder and dismemberment of his wife, Colombian media reported Thursday.
Joaquin Enrique Aldana, former operative commander of the police in Tolima, central Colombia, was sentenced after being found guilty of the crime of aggravated homicide in October by an Ibague court.
The former police official was accused of the murder of his wife, Erika Cecilia Yeleris Gutierrez, in 2009, after her body parts were found scattered on the road between Ibague and Alvarado in the north of Tolima in September of that year. Aldana turned himself in on December 15, 2009, but pleaded innocent to the crimes in the first hearing, which took place the following day.
According to an article by Caracol Radio, Aldana’s lawyer said that the defense will appeal against both the sentence and the verdict before the Superior Tribunal of Ibague. Lozano added that he believed in the innocence of his client.
Prosecuting lawyer Jesus Padilla stated that they will begin the process of victims reparation for Gutierrez’ mother and will formally request custody of the two underage daughters of the exofficial.