The gang of robbers involved in yesterday's incident at a finca in Porreres had previously stolen 30,000 euros from the owners. They had been at the property some weeks and had warned the owners that if they were reported, they would kill them. Yesterday, they returned and demanded more money.
The man who shot one of the robbers is now identified as being 77 years old. The robber who later died in Son Espases Hospital was not a Moroccan (this hadn't in any event been confirmed) but a Colombian. It is understood that the elderly man had business interests in Colonia Sant Jordi, which is where the Colombian lived.
During the first robbery, the man was tied up and beaten. He did not report the incident.
The Guardia Civil are hunting for the rest of the gang. The reports yesterday referred to two men having entered the premises and to two others who were outside. There is, however, some uncertainty as to the number of gang members.
The 77-year-old man faces being charged with negligent homicide. He was not arrested yesterday. Although everything points to his having acted in self-defence, judicial sources suggest that he will be charged.
13 comments
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I disagree with various comments in two areas. While I can see mim charged here, I can´t see the charges resulting in any negative results to the shooter, or benefits to the deceased or his heirs. I have heard of this happening in Britain, but in the cases I have checked, there were extebnuating circumstances that do not exist here, a man previously beaten by the same gang, was the victim of a home invasion, so logical fear of a likely beating or death, justifies the use of the gun in this case. In the case of the British guy going into serious debt, that is not the way it works here, because, in the U.K. this was caused by the nature of the trial, and jury. Here, jury trials are not that general, so in this case he might be chargd, but, the entire case could, and would, be easily, and cheaply solved in house with a not guilty, without the expense of a lawyer or actual trial.
Roy is spot on. Yes both the UK and Mallorca are in the EU but here in Mallorca a more sensible approach is taken. Like banning The burka in SA Pobla, for all the right reasons. Yet in the UK it’s a no go area of discussion. So yes EU rules are pretty useless.
HRH if it were a case of self defence and not for other ulterior motives that have been suggested here, I would like to think that the Spanish police and judiciary have more common sense than the ones back home.
Perhaps the Bulletin could organise a fund? This man deserves a medal, not a criminal case to answer.
This has echoes of a case I was involved in last year in the UK, in which a pensioner farmer was charged with GBH (the thief survived the shooting). He was cleared in 24 minutes by a jury. But he lost his whole life savings clearing his name as he did not get legal aid and could not recoup them. So incensed was the community, they raised £25k in a day to pay his legal bill - and launched Hugill’s law (named after him) to get the law changed. I hope there is similar support for this guy in Mallorca.
Apologies, its Sunday morning. But still complicated Reader. .
Roy, you do realise Mallorca is in the EU right?
In the UK he would definitely be charged with attempted murder and the shot person receives compensation. That’s EU law for you.
No Mr Worrall, It says "business interests in Colonia Sant Jordi", which, I believe, is a few miles from Colombia !
Good point, but according to the local press, he has or had a successful slot machine business in a busy tourist resort, which generated a lot of petty cash.