11-year old Candela Rodríguez, murdered last September.
Héctor “Topo” Moreira, suspected of being the mastermind in the kidnapping and murder of 11-year old Candela Rodríguez, claimed no responsibility in the case, although he acknowledged he does know her father personally.
He also assured he had no connection to the other suspects in the case and denied knowing Candela’s mother, Carola Labrador, although he admitted knowing the father’s girl “from the neighbourhood and from the criminal world.”
Moreira said that Candela’s father accused him of being an informant for the police, information that he eventually acknowledged, although he clarified that he had no relation with the police top brass.
“He is being singled out as the mastermind in the case, but he’s got nothing to do with it. He has no relationship with the other suspects under arrest,” his lawyer Sergio Doutres said.
Doutres explained that being labeled an informant in prison “is not a good thing” and that’s why Candela’s father was accusing him of being behind the kidnapping and murder.
He also assured that Moreira spoke to the District Attorney, Marcelo Tavolaro, in order to clear his legal situation in the case, since by the end of the month authorities should decided whether he should remain in preventive custody or be released.
Fernando Burlando, who represents Candela’s family, assured that “she didn’t go with him willingly, and even though she wasn’t tied up, she was mistreated and forensic investigations show us that the girl was sexually abused.”
In the meantime, the District Attorney is looking to question the latest suspect arrested in the case, Leonardo Jara, who was caught in José C. Paz on Tuesday night.
Jara, the only man who remained a fugitive in the case, is believed to have been the one who tricked Candela into going along with him before he kidnapped her.
buenosairesherald.com