GUILTY Spain - Denise Thiem, 40, U.S. traveler, Astorga, 4 April 2015
- Thread starter Muy Curioso
- Start date
FAMILY OF DENISE THIEM ARRIVES IN MADRID TO REPATRIATE HER REMAINS
DiarioDeLeon.es
http://www.diariodeleon.es/noticias...lega-madrid-repatriar-sus-restos_1042798.html
Cedric Thiem, the brother of Denise Thiem, the American pilgrim who was killed while on Camino de Santiago last spring, has returned to Spain to repatriate the remains of the woman (41). Her body was found in a farm in the middle of the month September. According to information received by this newspaper the brother of the pilgrim arrived yesterday in Madrid to gather the remains that have remained in the Forensic Anatomical Ponferrada, where they have practiced the relevant tests in order to clarify all the remaining loose ends of a case that has kept much of the country in suspense and mobilized many troops and volunteers for months.
Denise Thiem disappeared last April 5. The last communication was an email she sent to a friend, telling her that she was in Astorga and that her intention was to walk that morning, Easter Sunday, to El Ganso, a destination where she never arrived. It was the lack of news and movements in her bank accounts that began to worry her family. A few days later they reported her missing. Then began an intense investigation that ended in September with the arrest of Miguel Angel Muñoz Blas, in Asturias. He confessed to having killed the pilgrim, to whom, according to the autopsy report, he delivered a brutal beating.
After the discovery of the body, more than four months ago, the family of Denise has worked hard to streamline the procedures for repatriating the remains and to be able to grieve and to cfind closure to the nightmare they have endured. Their anguish even caused the family to write letters to Rajoy and Obama requesting that the body be returned home as soon as possible "so that she can be buried with the honors she deserves", according to the text of the letter. The letters, sent on 24 November, full of pain, sincerity and indignation ended with a plea: "Please tell us when we can bury our daughter."
BBM
:rose: at last.....
DiarioDeLeon.es
http://www.diariodeleon.es/noticias...lega-madrid-repatriar-sus-restos_1042798.html
Cedric Thiem, the brother of Denise Thiem, the American pilgrim who was killed while on Camino de Santiago last spring, has returned to Spain to repatriate the remains of the woman (41). Her body was found in a farm in the middle of the month September. According to information received by this newspaper the brother of the pilgrim arrived yesterday in Madrid to gather the remains that have remained in the Forensic Anatomical Ponferrada, where they have practiced the relevant tests in order to clarify all the remaining loose ends of a case that has kept much of the country in suspense and mobilized many troops and volunteers for months.
Denise Thiem disappeared last April 5. The last communication was an email she sent to a friend, telling her that she was in Astorga and that her intention was to walk that morning, Easter Sunday, to El Ganso, a destination where she never arrived. It was the lack of news and movements in her bank accounts that began to worry her family. A few days later they reported her missing. Then began an intense investigation that ended in September with the arrest of Miguel Angel Muñoz Blas, in Asturias. He confessed to having killed the pilgrim, to whom, according to the autopsy report, he delivered a brutal beating.
After the discovery of the body, more than four months ago, the family of Denise has worked hard to streamline the procedures for repatriating the remains and to be able to grieve and to cfind closure to the nightmare they have endured. Their anguish even caused the family to write letters to Rajoy and Obama requesting that the body be returned home as soon as possible "so that she can be buried with the honors she deserves", according to the text of the letter. The letters, sent on 24 November, full of pain, sincerity and indignation ended with a plea: "Please tell us when we can bury our daughter."
BBM
:rose: at last.....
JUDGE AUTHORIZES HANDING OVER OF THE REMAINS OF THE MURDERED PILGRIM TO HER FAMILY
The brother of Denise Pikka Thiem arrived in Spain on Saturday to take care of her remains.
LaVozDeGalicia
http://caminodesantiago.lavozdegali...ia/?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed
The head of the court of first instance and instruction number two in Astorga (León), María Antonia Díez has authorized the handing over of the remains of the American pilgrim Denise Pikka Thiem to the family. Denise thiem was murdered last April when hiking the Camino de Santiago.
According to sources from the High Court of Justice of Castile and Leon (TSJCyL), authorization has been given after the completion of all legal requirements requested by the various parties appearing in this case.
Since their discovery, the remains of the pilgrim have remained in the Forensic Anatomical Institute of Ponferrada, where they have undergone numerous tests. The implementation was very complex because of the bad condition the body was in when it was located.
Last Saturday a brother of victim arrived in Spainto take care of the remains.
BBM
The brother of Denise Pikka Thiem arrived in Spain on Saturday to take care of her remains.
LaVozDeGalicia
http://caminodesantiago.lavozdegali...ia/?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed
The head of the court of first instance and instruction number two in Astorga (León), María Antonia Díez has authorized the handing over of the remains of the American pilgrim Denise Pikka Thiem to the family. Denise thiem was murdered last April when hiking the Camino de Santiago.
According to sources from the High Court of Justice of Castile and Leon (TSJCyL), authorization has been given after the completion of all legal requirements requested by the various parties appearing in this case.
Since their discovery, the remains of the pilgrim have remained in the Forensic Anatomical Institute of Ponferrada, where they have undergone numerous tests. The implementation was very complex because of the bad condition the body was in when it was located.
Last Saturday a brother of victim arrived in Spainto take care of the remains.
BBM
THE REMAINS OF THE PILGRIM MURDERED IN LEÓN WILL BE REPATRIATED IN THE COMING HOURS
ElDía.es
http://eldia.es/agencias/8522724-SU...esinada-Leon-seran-repatriados-proximas-horas
León, EFE. The remains of the American pilgrim Denise Pikka Thiem, murdered last April when she was doing the Camino de Santiago as it passes through León, will be repatriated to her country in the next few hours now that the judge in charge of the case has authorized that the remains be handed over to her family. As police sources reported to EFE, the body, which is already in Madrid, has been handed over to her brother Cedric Thiem, who came to Spain on Saturday to take charge of the formalities. The same sources have indicated that the remains of the pilgrim will be repatriated in the coming hours.
BBM
ElDía.es
http://eldia.es/agencias/8522724-SU...esinada-Leon-seran-repatriados-proximas-horas
León, EFE. The remains of the American pilgrim Denise Pikka Thiem, murdered last April when she was doing the Camino de Santiago as it passes through León, will be repatriated to her country in the next few hours now that the judge in charge of the case has authorized that the remains be handed over to her family. As police sources reported to EFE, the body, which is already in Madrid, has been handed over to her brother Cedric Thiem, who came to Spain on Saturday to take charge of the formalities. The same sources have indicated that the remains of the pilgrim will be repatriated in the coming hours.
BBM
THE REMAINS OF DENISE, THE PILGRIM MURDERED ON THE CAMINO DE SANTIAGO RETURN HOME
ElMundo.es
http://www.elmundo.es/sociedad/2016/02/05/56b4ac5aca4741a0108b45e7.html
Nine months after her disappearance, four months after her body was found on a farm near Castrillo de los Polvazares (Leon) and after much anguish, much frustration and several desperate letters, the family of the Pilgrim Denise P. Thiem, murdered while doing the Camino de Santiago, have been able to repatriate her remains this week. In a room of the morgue of La Paz in Madrid, without any identifying information on the door forreasons of privacy, a few friends and family of Denise, who traveled from Hong Kong and the United States, and some people who have helped them throughout the process, held an emotional funeral, in which no authority was present, except a member of the US embassy. After some diffucult days in Spain and after fixing all the paperwork they were finally able to take Denise with them and to honor her as they had desired.
(...)
Nervous, tired, very sad but relieved because they were able to end all this agony [of waiting for the release of the body ] and get some rest, the family and friends of Denise who came to Madrid highlighted her strength, courage, joy and what a splendid person the pilgrim was. They insisted she was a great traveler, who after three months away from home wanted to return and join her brother to tell him her adventures.
:rose:
The article mentions that the judge ordered the handing over of the remains after completion of all legal requirements requested by the defense.
ElMundo.es
http://www.elmundo.es/sociedad/2016/02/05/56b4ac5aca4741a0108b45e7.html
Nine months after her disappearance, four months after her body was found on a farm near Castrillo de los Polvazares (Leon) and after much anguish, much frustration and several desperate letters, the family of the Pilgrim Denise P. Thiem, murdered while doing the Camino de Santiago, have been able to repatriate her remains this week. In a room of the morgue of La Paz in Madrid, without any identifying information on the door forreasons of privacy, a few friends and family of Denise, who traveled from Hong Kong and the United States, and some people who have helped them throughout the process, held an emotional funeral, in which no authority was present, except a member of the US embassy. After some diffucult days in Spain and after fixing all the paperwork they were finally able to take Denise with them and to honor her as they had desired.
(...)
Nervous, tired, very sad but relieved because they were able to end all this agony [of waiting for the release of the body ] and get some rest, the family and friends of Denise who came to Madrid highlighted her strength, courage, joy and what a splendid person the pilgrim was. They insisted she was a great traveler, who after three months away from home wanted to return and join her brother to tell him her adventures.
:rose:
The article mentions that the judge ordered the handing over of the remains after completion of all legal requirements requested by the defense.
DENISE THIEM IS RESTING IN PEACE IN PHOENIX
At last, the family of the pilgrim received the ashes of the woman, after her body left the Anatomical Forensic Institute of Ponferrada and was transported first to Madrid. There it was cremated, and from there brought to Arizona, where family and friends said goodbye to Denise in the strictest privacy.
ElBierzoDigital
http://www.elbierzodigital.com/denise-thiem-descansa-en-paz/123876
The American pilgrim Denise Pikka Thiem, killed in April while on the Camino de Santiago as it passes through the town of Astorga, is finally resting in peace.
The remains were repatriated last week to the United States, after passing through Madrid, where the body was cremated. The brother and a cousin of the victim awaited the arrival of the coffin in Madrid. They took over the ashes and took care of the repatriation to their country, as has been told by police sources to EBD.
After four (*) months in the Forensic Anatomical Institute of Ponferrada, a long period of time that caused the family to complain to the Spanish government, Denise Pikka Thiem is finally at peace after her loved ones were able to say their goodbyes in a service that was strictly private.
The reason for the long delay has never been publicly justified - it is only known, according to unofficial sources, that this was necessary to perform certain tests.
Meanwhile, her alleged murderer, Miguel Angel Muñoz Blas, is waiting in jail to be tried for the death of the pilgrim.
BBM
:rose:
(*) Five long months, not four.
At last, the family of the pilgrim received the ashes of the woman, after her body left the Anatomical Forensic Institute of Ponferrada and was transported first to Madrid. There it was cremated, and from there brought to Arizona, where family and friends said goodbye to Denise in the strictest privacy.
ElBierzoDigital
http://www.elbierzodigital.com/denise-thiem-descansa-en-paz/123876
The American pilgrim Denise Pikka Thiem, killed in April while on the Camino de Santiago as it passes through the town of Astorga, is finally resting in peace.
The remains were repatriated last week to the United States, after passing through Madrid, where the body was cremated. The brother and a cousin of the victim awaited the arrival of the coffin in Madrid. They took over the ashes and took care of the repatriation to their country, as has been told by police sources to EBD.
After four (*) months in the Forensic Anatomical Institute of Ponferrada, a long period of time that caused the family to complain to the Spanish government, Denise Pikka Thiem is finally at peace after her loved ones were able to say their goodbyes in a service that was strictly private.
The reason for the long delay has never been publicly justified - it is only known, according to unofficial sources, that this was necessary to perform certain tests.
Meanwhile, her alleged murderer, Miguel Angel Muñoz Blas, is waiting in jail to be tried for the death of the pilgrim.
BBM
:rose:
(*) Five long months, not four.
CONFESSED MURDERER OF PILGRIM DENISE THIEM NOW DECLARES HE IS INNOCENT
El Progreso
http://elprogreso.galiciae.com/noti...grina-denise-thiem-dice-ahora-que-es-inocente
Miguel Angel Muñoz Blas, accused of killing American pilgrim Denise Pikka Thiem, a crime to which he confessed after his arrest, has changed his statement and now says he is innocent and that he was pressured by police.
His lawyer, Vicente Prieto, assisted him in an appearance in the court of Astorga that is investigating the case. The lawyer has insisted that Muñoz Blas incriminated himself in the beginning because of the pressures he experienced.
LaNueva Crónica.com
http://www.lanuevacronica.com/el-as...ambia-su-declaracion-y-dice-que-el-no-la-mato
[Defense Lawyer Vicente Prieto:]
"He has told this Friday the truth about what happened, that it was not him. The first time he already said that he had not been the one, and after certain difficulties that he had to go through, that was when he said something else. From the beginning I put 'in quarantine' his self-incrimination, given that he did that after finding himself in a brutally aggressive situation on a psychological level. He was almost physically assaulted and from that moment, he lost it psychologically, and that led him to declare the other thing. That statement was induced, after he found himself with a gun to his head, being airlifted to Astorga and exposed to all the people," the defense lawyer added.
(...)
In his opinion, after the statement made today by the accused "the case should make a substantial shift." Furthermore, when questioned by reporters, he explained that the detainee "has already adapted" to life in prison, after passing through "disturbing episodes", in which he was submitted to a special regime for the prevention of suicides in prison. "Now I find him more settled, adapted and well," he said.
BBM
Lawyers will say anything, a-ny-thing :banghead:
If this were true, and he really believes it, then he should warn all pilgrims that a dangerous killer is still on the loose between Astorga and Rabanal.
El Progreso
http://elprogreso.galiciae.com/noti...grina-denise-thiem-dice-ahora-que-es-inocente
Miguel Angel Muñoz Blas, accused of killing American pilgrim Denise Pikka Thiem, a crime to which he confessed after his arrest, has changed his statement and now says he is innocent and that he was pressured by police.
His lawyer, Vicente Prieto, assisted him in an appearance in the court of Astorga that is investigating the case. The lawyer has insisted that Muñoz Blas incriminated himself in the beginning because of the pressures he experienced.
LaNueva Crónica.com
http://www.lanuevacronica.com/el-as...ambia-su-declaracion-y-dice-que-el-no-la-mato
[Defense Lawyer Vicente Prieto:]
"He has told this Friday the truth about what happened, that it was not him. The first time he already said that he had not been the one, and after certain difficulties that he had to go through, that was when he said something else. From the beginning I put 'in quarantine' his self-incrimination, given that he did that after finding himself in a brutally aggressive situation on a psychological level. He was almost physically assaulted and from that moment, he lost it psychologically, and that led him to declare the other thing. That statement was induced, after he found himself with a gun to his head, being airlifted to Astorga and exposed to all the people," the defense lawyer added.
(...)
In his opinion, after the statement made today by the accused "the case should make a substantial shift." Furthermore, when questioned by reporters, he explained that the detainee "has already adapted" to life in prison, after passing through "disturbing episodes", in which he was submitted to a special regime for the prevention of suicides in prison. "Now I find him more settled, adapted and well," he said.
BBM
Lawyers will say anything, a-ny-thing :banghead:
If this were true, and he really believes it, then he should warn all pilgrims that a dangerous killer is still on the loose between Astorga and Rabanal.
THE MAN ACCUSED OF KILLING PILGRIM DENISE NOW SAYS HE CONFESSED DUE TO PRESSURE
Also claims he never led the investigation to the location of the body
DiarioDeLeón.es
http://www.diariodeleon.es/noticias...e-dice-ahora-confeso-por-presion_1045828.html
Change of story. Miguel Angel Muñoz Blas, charged with ending the life of pilgrim Denise Thiem, presented himself yesterday at the Courts of Astorga to give a 180 degree turn to his latest statement and confess that he "is innocent". This was explained by the man's lawyer, Vicente Prieto, at the end of the session which lasted for over an hour and a half. He stated that according to the defendant, who remains in jail in Mansilla de las Mulas, "in September he pleaded guilty because of the pressure and the circumstances of the arrest that caused a brutally aggressive situation on a psychological level."
The lawyer said the defendant "told the truth yesterday. He did not kill her, he did not do it," he said, insisting that in the first statement he also gave a version of innocence. "Then, because of the vicissitudes that happened, that was when he declared himself guilty. That was a forced statement, after he was confronted with a gun to his head, with being airlifted to Astorga and brought from one place to the other," he said.
Prieto also said Muñoz Blas "never" led to the investigation to the body of the pilgrim, that appeared on a farm between Santa Catalina de Somoza and San Martin del Agostedo mid-September, after she had been missing for more than five months. "He was a man accustomed to biking around the area and recalled that in that place he had detected something that smelled bad,' said defense counsel, noting that" he (the accused) never led them to the body."
In this line, the lawyer also said yesterday that the man arrested over the death of the pilgrim clarified "certain contradictions" identified in the statements of witnesses and he reiterated that innocence will be "the version that will be maintained. He has now told the truth about what happened. "
As for the investigation stage, Vicente Prieto emphasized that he remains waiting for some tests that have been requested. He also indicated that he has not requested a transfer of Miguel Angel Muñoz Blas to a prison in Madrid. "I do not think we will request that' he confirmed.
The detainee arrived in the Courts of Astorga at about nine o'clock in the morning - he was very covered but he looked visibly deteriorated in his physical appearance - to deliver the final declaration where he returned, according to counsel, to the first statement of innocence.
BBM
Also claims he never led the investigation to the location of the body
DiarioDeLeón.es
http://www.diariodeleon.es/noticias...e-dice-ahora-confeso-por-presion_1045828.html
Change of story. Miguel Angel Muñoz Blas, charged with ending the life of pilgrim Denise Thiem, presented himself yesterday at the Courts of Astorga to give a 180 degree turn to his latest statement and confess that he "is innocent". This was explained by the man's lawyer, Vicente Prieto, at the end of the session which lasted for over an hour and a half. He stated that according to the defendant, who remains in jail in Mansilla de las Mulas, "in September he pleaded guilty because of the pressure and the circumstances of the arrest that caused a brutally aggressive situation on a psychological level."
The lawyer said the defendant "told the truth yesterday. He did not kill her, he did not do it," he said, insisting that in the first statement he also gave a version of innocence. "Then, because of the vicissitudes that happened, that was when he declared himself guilty. That was a forced statement, after he was confronted with a gun to his head, with being airlifted to Astorga and brought from one place to the other," he said.
Prieto also said Muñoz Blas "never" led to the investigation to the body of the pilgrim, that appeared on a farm between Santa Catalina de Somoza and San Martin del Agostedo mid-September, after she had been missing for more than five months. "He was a man accustomed to biking around the area and recalled that in that place he had detected something that smelled bad,' said defense counsel, noting that" he (the accused) never led them to the body."
In this line, the lawyer also said yesterday that the man arrested over the death of the pilgrim clarified "certain contradictions" identified in the statements of witnesses and he reiterated that innocence will be "the version that will be maintained. He has now told the truth about what happened. "
As for the investigation stage, Vicente Prieto emphasized that he remains waiting for some tests that have been requested. He also indicated that he has not requested a transfer of Miguel Angel Muñoz Blas to a prison in Madrid. "I do not think we will request that' he confirmed.
The detainee arrived in the Courts of Astorga at about nine o'clock in the morning - he was very covered but he looked visibly deteriorated in his physical appearance - to deliver the final declaration where he returned, according to counsel, to the first statement of innocence.
BBM
LETTERS ROGATORY SENT OUT BY THE NATIONAL POLICE ARE STILL AWAITING CONCRETE ANSWERS SIX MONTHS LATER
Germany and China do not trace other victims of the murderer of Denise Thiem
ElCorreoGallego.es
http://www.elcorreogallego.es/index.php?idMenu=3&idNoticia=983470
'Letters rogatory' is a procedure for judicial assistance between states that aims to obtain evidence abroad. The proceedings of this instruction have not yielded results so far. In other words, the authorities in Germany and Japan have not yet found answers to the letters rogatory that were sent to them six months ago by representatives of the National Police with relation to the murder of the American peregrina Denise Pikka Thiem. ¿Purpose of the procedure? Its aim is that justice systems of these countries investigate possible attacks on women of these nationalities on the Camino de Santiago, and more specifically on its way through the Leonese towns of Santa Catalina de Somoza and San Martin de Agostedo, both located nearby Castrillo de los Polvazares, area in which Miguel Angel Muñoz Blas grabbed and killed the American pilgrim of Asian origin Denise Pikka Thiem.
Basically, in the case of crime of the pilgrim they want to determine whether the victims that could be located in Germany and China are able to identify the confessed perpetrator and if from the data of their declarations can be concluded his participation in previous attacks or, on the contrary, as his lawyer claims, these are matters that have nothing to do with him. One has to remember in this regard, that the attack on a German pilgrim in 2014 put Blas Muñoz into the spotlights of the police.
BBM
Josie from Germany, where are you?
Germany and China do not trace other victims of the murderer of Denise Thiem
ElCorreoGallego.es
http://www.elcorreogallego.es/index.php?idMenu=3&idNoticia=983470
'Letters rogatory' is a procedure for judicial assistance between states that aims to obtain evidence abroad. The proceedings of this instruction have not yielded results so far. In other words, the authorities in Germany and Japan have not yet found answers to the letters rogatory that were sent to them six months ago by representatives of the National Police with relation to the murder of the American peregrina Denise Pikka Thiem. ¿Purpose of the procedure? Its aim is that justice systems of these countries investigate possible attacks on women of these nationalities on the Camino de Santiago, and more specifically on its way through the Leonese towns of Santa Catalina de Somoza and San Martin de Agostedo, both located nearby Castrillo de los Polvazares, area in which Miguel Angel Muñoz Blas grabbed and killed the American pilgrim of Asian origin Denise Pikka Thiem.
Basically, in the case of crime of the pilgrim they want to determine whether the victims that could be located in Germany and China are able to identify the confessed perpetrator and if from the data of their declarations can be concluded his participation in previous attacks or, on the contrary, as his lawyer claims, these are matters that have nothing to do with him. One has to remember in this regard, that the attack on a German pilgrim in 2014 put Blas Muñoz into the spotlights of the police.
BBM
Josie from Germany, where are you?
IT'S BEEN A YEAR...
SOMETIMES IT FEELS LIKE IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME AND OTHER TIMES IT DOESN'T FEEL LIKE IT'S BEEN LONG ENOUGH
message from Cedric Thiem:
Its been a year sometimes it feels likes its been a long time and other times it doesnt feel like its been long enough.
I try to focus on the positives. For so long we only guess at what has happened but with everyones support and hard work we found her and in February I finally got to bring Denise back home. I started the journey alone but by the time I landed in Spain that was the last time. From then on there was never ending support from strangers, friends, and family.
When I need a more positive view in life I just think of everyone and it make me think of how many good people there are out there. My family and I are truly grateful for everyones support and dedication. We are overwhelmed at how many people genuinely cared and wanted Denise found and brought back home. Thank You.
:rose:
BBM
SOMETIMES IT FEELS LIKE IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME AND OTHER TIMES IT DOESN'T FEEL LIKE IT'S BEEN LONG ENOUGH
message from Cedric Thiem:
Its been a year sometimes it feels likes its been a long time and other times it doesnt feel like its been long enough.
I try to focus on the positives. For so long we only guess at what has happened but with everyones support and hard work we found her and in February I finally got to bring Denise back home. I started the journey alone but by the time I landed in Spain that was the last time. From then on there was never ending support from strangers, friends, and family.
When I need a more positive view in life I just think of everyone and it make me think of how many good people there are out there. My family and I are truly grateful for everyones support and dedication. We are overwhelmed at how many people genuinely cared and wanted Denise found and brought back home. Thank You.
:rose:
BBM
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Thanks for the update, ZaZara - some here have been concerned for your well-being after the Brussels bombing.
This picture of Denise is so beautiful. I often wondered what she had looked like irl because earlier pictures of her were confusing and friends of Denise said that the 'blue' image with the dark eyes wasn't her at all.... So this is her. Her hands are precious.
Rest in Peace, sweet angel.
Together with friends on the Camino we remembered you on Easter Sunday, the day (not the date, Easter was early this year) when you disappeared. The friends walked through the Holy Week, just like you must have done last year. The Holy Week in Spain is beautiful, mystical and often shocking to those who experience it for the first time.
On Easter Sunday you went to Mass en watched the procession. This year, we lit candles for you, took pictures and shared them online.
In all of Europe, the Camino is never far away. I found the trail AND a chapel where I lit my candle. It took some matches and scratches because a fierce wind blew, but I managed. And then there was peace.
:rose:
Rest in Peace, sweet angel.
Together with friends on the Camino we remembered you on Easter Sunday, the day (not the date, Easter was early this year) when you disappeared. The friends walked through the Holy Week, just like you must have done last year. The Holy Week in Spain is beautiful, mystical and often shocking to those who experience it for the first time.
On Easter Sunday you went to Mass en watched the procession. This year, we lit candles for you, took pictures and shared them online.
In all of Europe, the Camino is never far away. I found the trail AND a chapel where I lit my candle. It took some matches and scratches because a fierce wind blew, but I managed. And then there was peace.
:rose:
THE PROSECUTOR WILL QUALIFY AS AN ASSASSINATION THE DEATH OF PILGRIM DENISE THIEM
The case may not go to court before next year, due to the lack of available dates
DiarioDeLeón.es
http://www.diariodeleon.es/noticias...en-peregrina-denise-ya-instruido_1060608.html
The prosecutor of Astorga will qualify as "assassination" the death of the pilgrim Denise Pikka Thiem, the pilgrim who died on April 5, 2015 while hiking the Camino de Santiago. The prosecutor will issue the indictment in the coming days, as sources of the Provincial Prosecutor of Leon confirmed yesterday to this newspaper.
The investigation at the police level is considered to be closed with abundant evidentiary burden, according to the data available at the hands of the investigating force. At the judicial level, they have completed the latest contributions to the investigation and they are only waiting for the deadlines to pass for the defense counsel to present his defense.
The next step will be to transfer the case to the Provincial Court of León which, as has been know this newspaper, has no free dates available for holding the hearing The hearing is expected to take place befor the Jury Court.
Regarding the turnaround in the reasoning in the line of the defense, as mantained by Vicente Prieto, the legal representative of the accused, the prosecution states that there are sufficient grounds to believe that the suspect, Miguel Angel Muñoz Blas, can be charged with the death of the victim. The prosecutor relies on the fact that Emilio Fernández, the chief prosecutor of Leon, established during the stage of the investigation that the confession of Muñoz Blas occurred without pressure of the police. The agents who were present at the time will state the same. Basically, it was the accused who led the National Police to the place where the body was found.
The prosecution does not deem credible that Muñoz Blas came across the body of the victim by chance. More credence is given to the fact that he knew the whereabouts of the corpse, in an isolated place that was not in the search area of the police, because he had actually been the one who had brought the body to that area.
BBM
The case may not go to court before next year, due to the lack of available dates
DiarioDeLeón.es
http://www.diariodeleon.es/noticias...en-peregrina-denise-ya-instruido_1060608.html
The prosecutor of Astorga will qualify as "assassination" the death of the pilgrim Denise Pikka Thiem, the pilgrim who died on April 5, 2015 while hiking the Camino de Santiago. The prosecutor will issue the indictment in the coming days, as sources of the Provincial Prosecutor of Leon confirmed yesterday to this newspaper.
The investigation at the police level is considered to be closed with abundant evidentiary burden, according to the data available at the hands of the investigating force. At the judicial level, they have completed the latest contributions to the investigation and they are only waiting for the deadlines to pass for the defense counsel to present his defense.
The next step will be to transfer the case to the Provincial Court of León which, as has been know this newspaper, has no free dates available for holding the hearing The hearing is expected to take place befor the Jury Court.
Regarding the turnaround in the reasoning in the line of the defense, as mantained by Vicente Prieto, the legal representative of the accused, the prosecution states that there are sufficient grounds to believe that the suspect, Miguel Angel Muñoz Blas, can be charged with the death of the victim. The prosecutor relies on the fact that Emilio Fernández, the chief prosecutor of Leon, established during the stage of the investigation that the confession of Muñoz Blas occurred without pressure of the police. The agents who were present at the time will state the same. Basically, it was the accused who led the National Police to the place where the body was found.
The prosecution does not deem credible that Muñoz Blas came across the body of the victim by chance. More credence is given to the fact that he knew the whereabouts of the corpse, in an isolated place that was not in the search area of the police, because he had actually been the one who had brought the body to that area.
BBM
CAMINO VICARIO: "DENISE WILL ARRIVE IN SANTIAGO"
The Camino Vicario is an official way to walk the Camino for someone who is unable to do so.
DiarioDeLeón April 2, 2016
http://www.diariodeleon.es/noticias/provincia/denise-va-llegar-santiago_1058021.html
Lino is Italian. Julia and Sonia are from Valencia. Barbara is German and Inma is from Barcelona. They did not know each other previously but last year all of them shared one or more stages of the Camino to Compostela with Denise Thiem. They could never have imagined that the American woman would not reach her destination. That is why, on the first anniversary of her disappearance and death, this group of walkers has started on the pilgrimage route once again so that Denise, at last, may arrive on the Plaza del Obradoiro. "She will arrive in Santiago," confesses an emotional Lino, who in the weeks after the fatal news was very aware of the Spanish press. "We could not believe it" he explains. So much that he even contacted the Spanish police for help. So did the rest of the friends of Denise on the Camino. "She was a strong and brave, nice woman and we called Arizona because she always wore her hat the way of the old West," Lino recalls now. He has pulled strings to get a vicarious credential - in the name of Denise so that at last the wish of the pilgrim becomes a reality.
"It is an official way of doing the Camino de Santiago for someone who can no longer do so, the credential bears their name and therefore it is as if Denise were to do [the Camino] again," says the Italian, who over a month ago put on his boots again to hike the Camino from Saint Jean Pied de Port. These kilometers he is sharing etapas with other companions whom Denise met. Sonia and Julia, Inma, who will join them these days, and Barbara who will also land, from Germany. They plan to reach Astorga around April 4, as did Denise on the same day a year earlier. "Our intention is that we arrive in Santiago on the same dates as she had planned," her friend says.
When the disappearance of American pilgrim began to spread in the newspapers, her traveling companions were already back in their hometowns. However, they maintained contact through a Facebook group where they scrupulously followed the development of case. "We all had hope," Lino says. A year after the fatal event his voice still breaks.
The pilgrims do not plan huge or popular tributes. They think about participating in a Mass and inviting the locals of Astorga to attend. "This Camino should be for her. We will walk into Santiago for Denise " the Italian pilgrim says. He has obtained the vicarious credential through the Italian Confraternita di San Jacobo di Compostella. In it, the seals of the albergues are accumulating. The track is getting shorten and Denise "will reach Santiago." They are committed, section by section, to lend her their feet.
LaVozDeGalicia April 6, 2016
http://www.lavozdegalicia.es/notici...o-camino-denise-thiem/0003_201604G6P12998.htm
(...)
The pilgrims walking for Denise made their way through Astorga coincide with the anniversary of her disappearance, and there, in the Leonese town, last night they attended a Mass for the woman. But the greatest tribute to Denise is waiting at a distance of almost 300 kilometers in Santiago, where she never managed to arrive and where her companions will arrive for her.
(...)
Although at a Mass celebrated in the Cathedral of Santiago in September, days after the body of Denise had been found, her family received from a representative of the archbishop a posthumoes pilgrim diploma, her friends wanted to complete the Camino in her name.
(...)
After the Mass last night in Astorga, the friends of Denise will resume the route, now following the steps that she could no longer make. They will be covering sections on the same dates as she had planned to do, but one year later. Untill Santiago there remain fourteen stages for them. Once they have walked them all, Denis will have completed the Camino thet she started in Pamplona on March 6, 2015.
DiarioDeLeón April 14, 2016
http://www.diariodeleon.es/noticias/provincia/denise-thiem-tiene-fin-compostela_1061606.html
He made a promised and fulfilled it. Lino, the Italian pilgrim who last year shared various stages of the Camino with Denise Thiem, arrived yesterday in Santiago de Compostela, lending his footsteps to the pilgrim during intense days of memories and emotions. "She has arrived on the day that she should have arrived," the Jacobean friend of Denise explained somewhat emotional and very satisfied. Over one month ago he decided to honor the memory of the woman who died violently last year while doing the Camino, by completing the route that she would have liked to finish so much. Therefore, Lino did not hesitate and put on his hiking shoes, matching the exact dates to reach Santiago on the same day that she had planned a year earlier. And so it happened. And Denise, finally reached her destination, on April 14, 365 days later.
Lino has done the Camino Vicario, an official way to walk the Camino for someone who is unable to do so. Therefore, on the Compostela the name of Denise PikkaThiem is written. More than 800 kilometers and more than a million steps to fulfill a dream that was shattered a year ago. The Camino unites.
BBM
:rose:
The Camino Vicario is an official way to walk the Camino for someone who is unable to do so.
DiarioDeLeón April 2, 2016
http://www.diariodeleon.es/noticias/provincia/denise-va-llegar-santiago_1058021.html
Lino is Italian. Julia and Sonia are from Valencia. Barbara is German and Inma is from Barcelona. They did not know each other previously but last year all of them shared one or more stages of the Camino to Compostela with Denise Thiem. They could never have imagined that the American woman would not reach her destination. That is why, on the first anniversary of her disappearance and death, this group of walkers has started on the pilgrimage route once again so that Denise, at last, may arrive on the Plaza del Obradoiro. "She will arrive in Santiago," confesses an emotional Lino, who in the weeks after the fatal news was very aware of the Spanish press. "We could not believe it" he explains. So much that he even contacted the Spanish police for help. So did the rest of the friends of Denise on the Camino. "She was a strong and brave, nice woman and we called Arizona because she always wore her hat the way of the old West," Lino recalls now. He has pulled strings to get a vicarious credential - in the name of Denise so that at last the wish of the pilgrim becomes a reality.
"It is an official way of doing the Camino de Santiago for someone who can no longer do so, the credential bears their name and therefore it is as if Denise were to do [the Camino] again," says the Italian, who over a month ago put on his boots again to hike the Camino from Saint Jean Pied de Port. These kilometers he is sharing etapas with other companions whom Denise met. Sonia and Julia, Inma, who will join them these days, and Barbara who will also land, from Germany. They plan to reach Astorga around April 4, as did Denise on the same day a year earlier. "Our intention is that we arrive in Santiago on the same dates as she had planned," her friend says.
When the disappearance of American pilgrim began to spread in the newspapers, her traveling companions were already back in their hometowns. However, they maintained contact through a Facebook group where they scrupulously followed the development of case. "We all had hope," Lino says. A year after the fatal event his voice still breaks.
The pilgrims do not plan huge or popular tributes. They think about participating in a Mass and inviting the locals of Astorga to attend. "This Camino should be for her. We will walk into Santiago for Denise " the Italian pilgrim says. He has obtained the vicarious credential through the Italian Confraternita di San Jacobo di Compostella. In it, the seals of the albergues are accumulating. The track is getting shorten and Denise "will reach Santiago." They are committed, section by section, to lend her their feet.
LaVozDeGalicia April 6, 2016
http://www.lavozdegalicia.es/notici...o-camino-denise-thiem/0003_201604G6P12998.htm
(...)
The pilgrims walking for Denise made their way through Astorga coincide with the anniversary of her disappearance, and there, in the Leonese town, last night they attended a Mass for the woman. But the greatest tribute to Denise is waiting at a distance of almost 300 kilometers in Santiago, where she never managed to arrive and where her companions will arrive for her.
(...)
Although at a Mass celebrated in the Cathedral of Santiago in September, days after the body of Denise had been found, her family received from a representative of the archbishop a posthumoes pilgrim diploma, her friends wanted to complete the Camino in her name.
(...)
After the Mass last night in Astorga, the friends of Denise will resume the route, now following the steps that she could no longer make. They will be covering sections on the same dates as she had planned to do, but one year later. Untill Santiago there remain fourteen stages for them. Once they have walked them all, Denis will have completed the Camino thet she started in Pamplona on March 6, 2015.
DiarioDeLeón April 14, 2016
http://www.diariodeleon.es/noticias/provincia/denise-thiem-tiene-fin-compostela_1061606.html
He made a promised and fulfilled it. Lino, the Italian pilgrim who last year shared various stages of the Camino with Denise Thiem, arrived yesterday in Santiago de Compostela, lending his footsteps to the pilgrim during intense days of memories and emotions. "She has arrived on the day that she should have arrived," the Jacobean friend of Denise explained somewhat emotional and very satisfied. Over one month ago he decided to honor the memory of the woman who died violently last year while doing the Camino, by completing the route that she would have liked to finish so much. Therefore, Lino did not hesitate and put on his hiking shoes, matching the exact dates to reach Santiago on the same day that she had planned a year earlier. And so it happened. And Denise, finally reached her destination, on April 14, 365 days later.
Lino has done the Camino Vicario, an official way to walk the Camino for someone who is unable to do so. Therefore, on the Compostela the name of Denise PikkaThiem is written. More than 800 kilometers and more than a million steps to fulfill a dream that was shattered a year ago. The Camino unites.
BBM
:rose:
MIGUEL ÁNGEL FACES 25 YEARS IN PRISON
The charges of the prosecutor state firmly that he murdered peregrina Denise
LaRazón.es
http://www.larazon.es/sociedad/angel-se-enfrenta-a-25-anos-de-carcel-DP12486137#.Ttt1JMn43UYGaFy
In recent hours, the charges against Miguel Angel Muñoz Blas, 39 have been specified. He is the only suspect in the murder of the American peregrina Denise Pikka Thiem, 40, who was killed while walking the Camino de Santiago. La Razón has had early access to the indictment written by the prosecutor in charge of the case, Maria Tornadijo. She accuses him of two offenses: one of assassination, for which she demands twenty years in prison, and one of robbery with violence, for which she requests another five years in prison. Miguel Angel could well spend the next 25 years behind bars.
The paper describes minutely how the events occurred, "Denise was walking alone on the Camino de Santiago. She started in Pamplona on March 6, 2015, but at a non-specified moment of time, on April 5 while covering the distance between the towns of Astorga and El Ganso, she lost her way. In the village of Castrillo de los Polvazares she deviated from the Camino due to the placement - thought to be fraudulent - of a yellow arrow pointing to a road adjacent to the farm of defendant, who left his house to meet the peregrina.
Oddly enough, according to the representative of the Public Ministry, the signal that misled the pilgrim is identical to those that officially mark the right Camino. In fact, the hypothesis of the investigators is that when Miguel Ángel was overcome by the need, the drive to assault a woman, he turned the arrow on the crossroads to mislead the peregrinas and set a trap near his home. "After talking a few minutes," the letter continues, "by surprise, and without Denise having any prior warning nor the possibility to defend herself, Blas Muñoz hit her on the head with a heavy, blunt object. The victim collapsed and fell to the ground. Then, the accused hit her again, twice on the head and a third time on the chest with said blunt instrument." The prosecutor relies on the objective data of the forensic report that mentions multiple fractures in the cranial area and several broken ribs. The forensic medical examination also reveals that he [ the accused ] used a knife to cut her throat and also "severed the hands of Denise". The accused then undressed the victim and "burned the clothes and belongings of Denise to wipe her trail and accelerate the process of decomposition of her body." He took the opportunity to "seize 1,132 US dollars that Denise kept in a backpack as a contingency fund."
One of the witnesses that the prosecution called to testify maintains that such was the amount of money that he gave her to exchange it for euros "in the branch of the bank Cajamar in Astorga as of April 17, 2015". The indictment goes on to relate that after murdering her "he initially hid the body in the vicinity of his plot of land, where he has a prefab house and various sheds with tools. In late August 2015, without knowing the specific date, he changed the burial place as a result of police pressure and the fear of being discovered, to the site where the body was finally found."
Maria Tornadijo is clear: "Once numerous investigative acts were done and due to increased police surveillance of Muñoz Blas" she continues in the document, "the suspect left Astorga. He did this approximately on 8 September 2015. He was arrested three days later, on September 11, 2015, at 15:30 hours in the Asturian town of Grandas de Salime."
The prosecutor recalls that the accused soon confessed to the crime. "Because of the directions that Miguel Ángel gave to police officers, the body of Denise was located, after traveling about two kilometers along a dirt road, up a hill and past a stone fence, on the night of September 11, 2015. The body was found at the foot of a pine tree, naked, in advanced state of decomposition and covered by some bushes in a place close to Santa Catalina de Somoza, near km 7 on the LE-142 road."
BBM
I do wonder if all of this is true. As the text went through my hands, I began having serious doubts.
But let me begin with the positives: the charges are assassination and robbery with violence, leading (hopefully) to at least 25 years in prison.
Plus the fact that Denise did not see it coming. I really hope that this is what happened that fatal day. That she never knew what hit her and that it was all over before she knew what was happening.
The rest is odd, to say the least. Not only does the Prosecutor rely on the medical report, but she also relies heavily on the confession of accused. He has withdrawn this confession, and what other proof does she have that supports this story?
Did they find his fingerprints on the official Camino arrow, and do these fingerprints indicate that he turned it? Really?
No one saw Denise in or near Castrillo de los Polvazares. Her feet were hurting and she had not planned to walk far. Why would she take a detour?
From am earlier post:
http://www.websleuths.com/forums/sh...-Astorga-4-April-2015&p=12155678#post12155678
And from another post:
http://www.websleuths.com/forums/sh...-Astorga-4-April-2015&p=12144500#post12144500
The charges of the prosecutor state firmly that he murdered peregrina Denise
LaRazón.es
http://www.larazon.es/sociedad/angel-se-enfrenta-a-25-anos-de-carcel-DP12486137#.Ttt1JMn43UYGaFy
In recent hours, the charges against Miguel Angel Muñoz Blas, 39 have been specified. He is the only suspect in the murder of the American peregrina Denise Pikka Thiem, 40, who was killed while walking the Camino de Santiago. La Razón has had early access to the indictment written by the prosecutor in charge of the case, Maria Tornadijo. She accuses him of two offenses: one of assassination, for which she demands twenty years in prison, and one of robbery with violence, for which she requests another five years in prison. Miguel Angel could well spend the next 25 years behind bars.
The paper describes minutely how the events occurred, "Denise was walking alone on the Camino de Santiago. She started in Pamplona on March 6, 2015, but at a non-specified moment of time, on April 5 while covering the distance between the towns of Astorga and El Ganso, she lost her way. In the village of Castrillo de los Polvazares she deviated from the Camino due to the placement - thought to be fraudulent - of a yellow arrow pointing to a road adjacent to the farm of defendant, who left his house to meet the peregrina.
Oddly enough, according to the representative of the Public Ministry, the signal that misled the pilgrim is identical to those that officially mark the right Camino. In fact, the hypothesis of the investigators is that when Miguel Ángel was overcome by the need, the drive to assault a woman, he turned the arrow on the crossroads to mislead the peregrinas and set a trap near his home. "After talking a few minutes," the letter continues, "by surprise, and without Denise having any prior warning nor the possibility to defend herself, Blas Muñoz hit her on the head with a heavy, blunt object. The victim collapsed and fell to the ground. Then, the accused hit her again, twice on the head and a third time on the chest with said blunt instrument." The prosecutor relies on the objective data of the forensic report that mentions multiple fractures in the cranial area and several broken ribs. The forensic medical examination also reveals that he [ the accused ] used a knife to cut her throat and also "severed the hands of Denise". The accused then undressed the victim and "burned the clothes and belongings of Denise to wipe her trail and accelerate the process of decomposition of her body." He took the opportunity to "seize 1,132 US dollars that Denise kept in a backpack as a contingency fund."
One of the witnesses that the prosecution called to testify maintains that such was the amount of money that he gave her to exchange it for euros "in the branch of the bank Cajamar in Astorga as of April 17, 2015". The indictment goes on to relate that after murdering her "he initially hid the body in the vicinity of his plot of land, where he has a prefab house and various sheds with tools. In late August 2015, without knowing the specific date, he changed the burial place as a result of police pressure and the fear of being discovered, to the site where the body was finally found."
Maria Tornadijo is clear: "Once numerous investigative acts were done and due to increased police surveillance of Muñoz Blas" she continues in the document, "the suspect left Astorga. He did this approximately on 8 September 2015. He was arrested three days later, on September 11, 2015, at 15:30 hours in the Asturian town of Grandas de Salime."
The prosecutor recalls that the accused soon confessed to the crime. "Because of the directions that Miguel Ángel gave to police officers, the body of Denise was located, after traveling about two kilometers along a dirt road, up a hill and past a stone fence, on the night of September 11, 2015. The body was found at the foot of a pine tree, naked, in advanced state of decomposition and covered by some bushes in a place close to Santa Catalina de Somoza, near km 7 on the LE-142 road."
BBM
I do wonder if all of this is true. As the text went through my hands, I began having serious doubts.
But let me begin with the positives: the charges are assassination and robbery with violence, leading (hopefully) to at least 25 years in prison.
Plus the fact that Denise did not see it coming. I really hope that this is what happened that fatal day. That she never knew what hit her and that it was all over before she knew what was happening.
The rest is odd, to say the least. Not only does the Prosecutor rely on the medical report, but she also relies heavily on the confession of accused. He has withdrawn this confession, and what other proof does she have that supports this story?
Did they find his fingerprints on the official Camino arrow, and do these fingerprints indicate that he turned it? Really?
No one saw Denise in or near Castrillo de los Polvazares. Her feet were hurting and she had not planned to walk far. Why would she take a detour?
From am earlier post:
http://www.websleuths.com/forums/sh...-Astorga-4-April-2015&p=12155678#post12155678
And from another post:
http://www.websleuths.com/forums/sh...-Astorga-4-April-2015&p=12144500#post12144500
- Joined
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- Messages
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The group, who are continuing the walk in honour of Denise are inspiring human beings, a reminder that the world is populated with more good people with warm hearts, than cowardly, aberrant, murderers with no heart at all. imo.
'COUNTDOWN' FOR THE MURDERER OF PILGRIM DENISE THIEM
The preliminary hearing was suspended, the counsel for Blas Muñoz did not oppose the opening of trial // he argues that there is neither evidence nor witnesses
El Correo Gallego.es
http://www.elcorreogallego.es/santi...-thiem/idEdicion-2016-05-18/idNoticia-997783/
Although his lawyer did not oppose the opening of a hearing, the preliminary hearing scheduled in the Court of Instruction No. 2 of Astorga was suspended. Reason? The legal representation of Miguel Angel Muñoz Blas, confessed murderer of American peregrina Denise Pikka Thiem, filed a brief arguing that he was warned with very little time before the date for this hearing and waived the right of the said hearing, a decision that, as it was reflected, entails that he accepts the opening of a trial.
At this point in the process it is merely expected that the Judge of the Court of Instruction No. 2 of Astorga decides to order the opening of the trial and refers the case to the [ higher ] Provincial Court of León.
The trail of the American Denise Thiem was lost on April 5, 2015, while she was covering the etapa of the Camino de Santiago that connects Astorga with El Ganso, León. Five months later, on Sept. 11, her remains were located in a secluded place between Santa Catalina de Somoza and San Martin de Agostedo, not far from the home of the murder, who previously buried her on a farm of his property.
The body of this woman of 41 years, of whom the murderer cut both hands, was naked, in an advanced state of decomposition and covered by bushes.
BBM
This text stems from a larger report that I cannot read because of a paywall ~ I would gladly pay a few cents but let's say that the procedure could be a little more user-friendly, if only....
The preliminary hearing was suspended, the counsel for Blas Muñoz did not oppose the opening of trial // he argues that there is neither evidence nor witnesses
El Correo Gallego.es
http://www.elcorreogallego.es/santi...-thiem/idEdicion-2016-05-18/idNoticia-997783/
Although his lawyer did not oppose the opening of a hearing, the preliminary hearing scheduled in the Court of Instruction No. 2 of Astorga was suspended. Reason? The legal representation of Miguel Angel Muñoz Blas, confessed murderer of American peregrina Denise Pikka Thiem, filed a brief arguing that he was warned with very little time before the date for this hearing and waived the right of the said hearing, a decision that, as it was reflected, entails that he accepts the opening of a trial.
At this point in the process it is merely expected that the Judge of the Court of Instruction No. 2 of Astorga decides to order the opening of the trial and refers the case to the [ higher ] Provincial Court of León.
The trail of the American Denise Thiem was lost on April 5, 2015, while she was covering the etapa of the Camino de Santiago that connects Astorga with El Ganso, León. Five months later, on Sept. 11, her remains were located in a secluded place between Santa Catalina de Somoza and San Martin de Agostedo, not far from the home of the murder, who previously buried her on a farm of his property.
The body of this woman of 41 years, of whom the murderer cut both hands, was naked, in an advanced state of decomposition and covered by bushes.
BBM
This text stems from a larger report that I cannot read because of a paywall ~ I would gladly pay a few cents but let's say that the procedure could be a little more user-friendly, if only....
COURT OF LEÓN SUMMONS 76 WITNESSES AND EXPERTS TO TESTIFY DURING THE TRIAL OF THE DEATH OF THE PILGRIM
Family of Denise Pikka Thiem seeks compensation of 250,000 euros
iLeon.com
http://www.ileon.com/actualidad/063...-para-el-juicio-por-la-muerte-de-la-peregrina
The Provincial Court of León will summon 76 people as witnesses and experts to testify at the trial about the death of Denise Pikka Thiem, the American pilgrim who lost her life murdered allegedly by Miguel Angel Muñoz Blas in April 2015. She was attacked near Castrillo of Polvazares while she was hiking the Camino de Santiago. Today's edition of Diario de León has the story.
According to the indictment presented by the Public Prosecutor, that is in possession of this newspaper, the final number of people who will pass through the courtroom of the Third Section of the Court ends up nearing one hundred. In any case, for the time being no date has been set for the trial by Jury that will take place not earlier than January 2017.
The list of witnesses and experts is considerable. The prosecutor, Maria Tornadijo, gives special relevance to the testimony of the officers of the National Police who took part in the transfer of the accused from the Asturian town of Grandas, where he was arrested, to the police station of the National Police in Astorga. It was during this trip that he confessed to the facts he had committed and pleaded guilty of the death of the pilgrim.
The second testimony to which she also attaches particular importance is that of the agents who discovered the place where the body of the deceased was hidden, following the directions given by Muñoz Blas. The policemen hold that without his help, it would not have been possible to locate the body. However the suspect now assures that he had nothing to do with the death of Pikka Thiem and that if he confessed being the perpetrator this was due to police pressure and an episode insuperable fear. [ of heights ]
In addition to the 21 officers of the National Police and local police of Astorga and Grandas, (the prosecution raises the roll of subpoenaed agents to 63) citizens also will be subpoenaed. They will testify as witnesses. One of the most important witnesses will be the employee of the bank office in Astorga where Muñoz Blas traded 1,132 dollars. It was later proven that the victim was carrying these at the time of the crime.
The owner of a paint store is also subpoenaed. The defendant went there to buy paint several days after the crime.
More subpoenas: The president of the neighborhood council of the locality to which the municipality of the home of the suspect belongs, the (former) partner of the accused and the lawyer who first attended to the defendant. The relevance of all these testimonies may come up the oral hearing, that promises to be lengthy due to the amount of evidence that must presented in court for the members of the jury.
The presence in the courtroom is also requested of a pilgrim who accompanied Denise during the last kilometers of her trajectory, before the fatal outcome occurred. An English translator has been requested in order to follow the testimony of Cedric Thiem, the brother of the victim.
The family seeks compensation of 150,000 and 100,000 euros respectively for the parents and brother of the deceased, but cuts one year off the demand of the prosecution. The Public Ministry increases the penalty to 25 years in prison in contrast to the 24 of the private prosecution, that embodies the interests of the Thiem family.
The correlative description of the facts presented by the family argues that Miguel Ángel, in order to avoid being seen, dragged the body of the victim, still alive to a more secluded and less visible spot, stripping her of her backpack when he made a cut in the neck that was fatal.
Later, near the spot where he killed the girl and after strippng off her clothes, he proceeded to bury her using an existing hole in the ground. Previously he cut off both hands of the corpse, that have not been found.
The victim suffered a complex picture of injuries according to autopsy report of the medical examiner.
BBM
I have snipped this a bit. I don't know why Spanish reporters write the way they do, with legal terms and twisted bureaucratic sentences. I wonder if they have any friends left if they speak like this as well
The good news is that the Thiem family has joined the prosecution.
Family of Denise Pikka Thiem seeks compensation of 250,000 euros
iLeon.com
http://www.ileon.com/actualidad/063...-para-el-juicio-por-la-muerte-de-la-peregrina
The Provincial Court of León will summon 76 people as witnesses and experts to testify at the trial about the death of Denise Pikka Thiem, the American pilgrim who lost her life murdered allegedly by Miguel Angel Muñoz Blas in April 2015. She was attacked near Castrillo of Polvazares while she was hiking the Camino de Santiago. Today's edition of Diario de León has the story.
According to the indictment presented by the Public Prosecutor, that is in possession of this newspaper, the final number of people who will pass through the courtroom of the Third Section of the Court ends up nearing one hundred. In any case, for the time being no date has been set for the trial by Jury that will take place not earlier than January 2017.
The list of witnesses and experts is considerable. The prosecutor, Maria Tornadijo, gives special relevance to the testimony of the officers of the National Police who took part in the transfer of the accused from the Asturian town of Grandas, where he was arrested, to the police station of the National Police in Astorga. It was during this trip that he confessed to the facts he had committed and pleaded guilty of the death of the pilgrim.
The second testimony to which she also attaches particular importance is that of the agents who discovered the place where the body of the deceased was hidden, following the directions given by Muñoz Blas. The policemen hold that without his help, it would not have been possible to locate the body. However the suspect now assures that he had nothing to do with the death of Pikka Thiem and that if he confessed being the perpetrator this was due to police pressure and an episode insuperable fear. [ of heights ]
In addition to the 21 officers of the National Police and local police of Astorga and Grandas, (the prosecution raises the roll of subpoenaed agents to 63) citizens also will be subpoenaed. They will testify as witnesses. One of the most important witnesses will be the employee of the bank office in Astorga where Muñoz Blas traded 1,132 dollars. It was later proven that the victim was carrying these at the time of the crime.
The owner of a paint store is also subpoenaed. The defendant went there to buy paint several days after the crime.
More subpoenas: The president of the neighborhood council of the locality to which the municipality of the home of the suspect belongs, the (former) partner of the accused and the lawyer who first attended to the defendant. The relevance of all these testimonies may come up the oral hearing, that promises to be lengthy due to the amount of evidence that must presented in court for the members of the jury.
The presence in the courtroom is also requested of a pilgrim who accompanied Denise during the last kilometers of her trajectory, before the fatal outcome occurred. An English translator has been requested in order to follow the testimony of Cedric Thiem, the brother of the victim.
The family seeks compensation of 150,000 and 100,000 euros respectively for the parents and brother of the deceased, but cuts one year off the demand of the prosecution. The Public Ministry increases the penalty to 25 years in prison in contrast to the 24 of the private prosecution, that embodies the interests of the Thiem family.
The correlative description of the facts presented by the family argues that Miguel Ángel, in order to avoid being seen, dragged the body of the victim, still alive to a more secluded and less visible spot, stripping her of her backpack when he made a cut in the neck that was fatal.
Later, near the spot where he killed the girl and after strippng off her clothes, he proceeded to bury her using an existing hole in the ground. Previously he cut off both hands of the corpse, that have not been found.
The victim suffered a complex picture of injuries according to autopsy report of the medical examiner.
BBM
I have snipped this a bit. I don't know why Spanish reporters write the way they do, with legal terms and twisted bureaucratic sentences. I wonder if they have any friends left if they speak like this as well
The good news is that the Thiem family has joined the prosecution.
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