2001

Defendant was convicted as accomplice in a rape and murder while under the influence of narcotics. The regional appellate court affirmed the trial court's ruling, but the national Supreme Court, while upholding the conviction, held that Article 13 of Law 23.737, which calls for heavier sentences when crimes are committed under the influence of narcotics, was not applicable in this case. The case was remanded to the regional appellate court.

Defendant was accused of aggravated rape of his 11-year old daughter, in violation of Art. 308 and 310-2 of the Penal Code. The defendant admitted to the rape, explaining it was an irresistible impulse. The trial court held that there was sufficient evidence not only to prove that the Defendant had raped his daughter, but that he had used force and threats of force to do so. Defendant was sentenced to 12 years in jail, and fined punitive damages. On appeal, the appellate court held that the appropriate sentence was 13 years, and that the penal code did not allow for the punitive damages.