The First Room of the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN) will define today the future of Mario Aburto Martínezconvicted of the 1994 murder of former presidential candidate Luis Donaldo Colosio.
The SCJN will discuss a challenge filed by the Attorney General’s Office (FGR) that seeks that the crimes committed by Aburto in 1994 be tried under the Federal Penal Code – as was done at that time – and the confessed murderer of Colosio remain 15 more years in prison.
This request from the FGR responds to the ruling issued on October 6 by the First Collegiate Court in Criminal Matters of the State of Mexico that ruled that Aburto should not be tried under the Federal Penal Codebut for Baja California.
In October, magistrates granted an amparo to invalidate the Aburto’s conviction and they ordered a new sentence to be issued in accordance with the Penal Code of Baja California in 1994, which would apply a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and would imply his release this same March 23.
The FGR has insisted that the case falls under federal jurisdiction due to the seriousness of the crime, a point of view that conflicts with the determination of the collegiate court and that has brought this matter to the doors of the SCJN.
For this Wednesday, the project of Minister Margarita Ríos Farjat proposes rejecting the FGR’s review requestarguing that the requirements for an exceptional review are not met.
The matter has also had complications within the Court, after a declaration of impediment was issued by Minister Jorge Mario Pardo Rebolledo, who had originally received the project, and who said he could not take it given that he previously participated in a related ruling.
According to the conviction of Mario Aburto Multiple voices have emerged, including that of the National Human Rights Commission (CNDH), which at the time He denounced torture and unfair treatment towards Aburto and his family.
At the beginning of 2024, the son of the deceased Colosio, Luis Donaldo Colosio Riojasasked President López Obrador to grant a pardon to Mario Aburtoarguing that it is necessary to be able to “heal.”
“Appealing to the president’s compassion, I would say that it is better to pardon Mario Aburto. Let me put a finality to this matter and allow both my family and Mexico to heal,” said Colosio Riojas, also former mayor of Monterrey.
Another of the consequences that this case has had was the recent intentions of the FGR to reopen the investigation folder of the Colosio homicidearguing the existence of a possible second shooter, who would be linked to the Center for Research and National Security (CISEN); However, a judge stopped this proposal.
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On March 23, 1994, while Colosio was holding a presidential campaign rally in Lomas Taurinas, Tijuana, Baja California, and was mortally wounded by a gunshot. Aburto was arrested at the scene and later convicted of the murder. However, the case has generated controversy and conspiracy theories about the possibility that Aburto did not act alone.