Trial halted in Portocristo case of baby's death after being abandoned in dumpster due to doubts about expert witness credentials

PalmThe jury trial for the death of the baby abandoned in a manure container in Portocristo may be suspended and has been postponed until next Wednesday after the judge reported that one of the expert witnesses who testified on Tuesday may not have the required medical qualifications. The expert in question, Carlos Cuadrado Gómez-Serranillos, previously convicted of fraud in the sale of training courses, testified at the request of the defense for the baby's mother. died in November 2023 shortly after birthSeveral local media outlets reported that his medical degree might not be valid, which created uncertainty about the validity of his statement.

The prosecution is seeking life imprisonment with review for The mother and the baby's uncle, both accused of murderAccording to the prosecution, after the birth—which occurred spontaneously inside a car driven by the uncle—both were fully aware that the baby was alive and decided to throw it in a dumpster. A neighbor testified during the trial that the man placed the placenta and the doll's body, wrapped in towels, in the dumpster, while the mother waited inside the vehicle, very nervous, covered with a bloodstained towel and without underwear. The forensic expert explained to the jury that, according to the objective data from the medical reports and the autopsy, the baby had not breathed outside the womb and, therefore, had no chance of survival.

The trial was scheduled to resume this Wednesday at 9:30 a.m., but has been suspended pending the court's receipt of documentation verifying the qualifications of the expert witness who testified. In addition to the two main defendants, an aunt of the minor is also being prosecuted for failure to provide assistance.