Couple on Trial for Brutal Strangling and Stabbing Murder

Diana and Eugenio are on trial at the Provincial Court of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, accused of murdering Eloy in July 2023 in the El Fraile neighborhood of Arona. Eloy was strangled with a woman's elastic suit and stabbed six times with two knives. The brutal attack happened in the living room of Diana's home. Eloy died about half an hour after the assault.

Both defendants face up to 20 years in prison and are ordered to pay 300,000 euros to Eloy's heirs. This is according to the Public Prosecutor's Office and the private prosecution. Diana and Eugenio have denied their involvement and presented different accounts during the first day of the jury trial.

When questioned by the prosecutor, Diana claimed that Eugenio stabbed Eloy in her defense. She stated that Eugenio knew about the ongoing abuse and rape she suffered from Eloy.

Diana said she had known Eloy for years. Initially, their relationship was good, but she later became addicted to heroin after he offered it to her. She described their relationship as "toxic" and claimed Eloy harassed and raped her, constantly calling and messaging her. She also said she feared he would harm her mother or daughter. Diana mentioned that a cousin in the Civil Guard knew about her situation and had advised her to report Eloy, but she refused, fearing retaliation.

The prosecutor found Diana's statements inconsistent and presented three different versions she had previously given. Diana insisted she was telling the truth now and explained her earlier statements as attempts to protect Eugenio, who she said had defended her from Eloy.

During the prosecutor's questioning, Diana became agitated, raising her voice, interrupting, and standing up. The judge warned her that it was an interrogation, not a conversation.

Diana maintained that Eugenio stabbed Eloy after a struggle. She claimed she was paralyzed by fear and only saw them fighting intensely. She denied strangling Eloy with her suit and said the plastic wrap found with the body was to protect the sofa from her cat.

She described Eloy as violent and addicted to alcohol, also diagnosed with schizophrenia. She claimed he arrived at her house that night in a violent state, as usual. However, forensic reports indicate Eloy had consumed a large amount of alcohol, cocaine, and tranquilizers, which would have impaired his ability to react.

Eugenio stated that he fell asleep in Diana's bedroom after an afternoon at the beach. He was woken by screams and the police entering the apartment. He saw Eloy's body in the living room and was told to lie on the floor and arrested.

When asked about Eloy's DNA found under his fingernails and on a knife, Eugenio explained he took the knife from Eloy days earlier during an argument. He attributed the DNA under his nails to being told to lie on the floor by the police. He denied hearing an audio recording from a security camera where he allegedly said, "If you don't confess, I'll kill you, brother."

The Public Prosecutor's Office believes both defendants acted together, citing autopsy findings that suggest the involvement of two people.