Trial begins for sole defendant in Lapostol case

SANTIAGO.- Luis Andrés Araya Galaz, who is charged with murdering businesswoman Soledad Lapostol, entered Courtroom 14 of the Third Tribunal today at 9:38 AM wearing a lime green shirt and blue pants to begin a trial that is expected to last approximately one month.

The oral trial is being presided over by Judge José Pablo Rodríguez, with Public Prosecutors Jorge Reyes and Rodrigo Mena, prosecuting attorney for the Lapostol family, Francisco Cox, accompanied by the attorney for the Ministry of Interior, Ximena Leal; as well as defense attorney Jorge Villalobos.

Araya Galaz is charged with violent robbery, kidnapping, and homicide, as well as illegal possession and use of a private document.

The defendant could receive 15 years in prison for the violent robbery charge alone, while the kidnapping and murder charges may get him a life sentence. Meanwhile, Araya Galaz risks a minimum sentence of 5 years and one day in prison for the illegal use of a private document.