Supreme Court Upholds Nine-Year Prison Sentences for Santa Úrsula Attempted Murderers

The Supreme Court has upheld a nine-year prison sentence for two brothers who attempted to murder their neighbor in Santa Úrsula in October 2023. The court rejected the defense’s appeal, which had argued that the attack should have been classified as a lesser crime of causing bodily harm rather than attempted murder.

The judges confirmed that the attack involved "treachery," noting that the brothers forced their way into the victim's home by surprise. The court pointed to the use of an axe and a knife, along with the fact that the blows were aimed at vital areas of the body, as clear evidence of an intent to kill. Additionally, the court dismissed claims that the brothers were intoxicated, stating there was no evidence that alcohol had impaired their judgment during the assault.

In addition to their prison terms, the brothers will face eight years of supervised release. They are also prohibited from coming within 500 meters of the victim and are banned from living in Santa Úrsula. Financially, they have been ordered to pay 2,760 euros in compensation to the victim, cover the costs of the medical care provided by the Canary Islands Health Service, and pay 3,240 euros for damages caused to the victim’s home and vehicle.

The attack was the result of long-standing neighborhood tensions, including ongoing disputes over noise and behavior. The victim, who survived despite suffering severe injuries and losing consciousness, provided testimony that the Supreme Court found highly credible. By endorsing the previous ruling from the High Court of Justice of the Canary Islands, the Supreme Court has now exhausted all standard legal appeals for this case.