Tijuana’s first ever public hearing of what is called the New Penal Justice System was held yesterday for a murder case, which took place last Saturday. The defendant, a Mexican-American born in San Diego, is accused of murdering two men while on a night of partying.

The hearing lasted an hour, and no cameras or smartphones of any kind were allowed.

During the hearing, the judge ratified the defendant’s detention, considering it in flagranti, while the public defenders requested an extension, giving them until Friday to gather enough evidence to prove the man’s innocence. The judge will then decide on Monday if this process turns into an official trial for Antonio N, the man accused of homicide, who will remain for six days in prison as a precautionary measure.

Beginning in 2007, Mexico has slowly introduced its new Justice System based around oral and public hearings and trials and the ideal of innocent until proven guilty, a big change from its previous system dependent on judges and lawyers debating justice behind closed doors, a system that lead to one of the worst impunity rates in the world. This year, 2016, was the deadline for the remaining cities and states that haven't implemented the new system to fully embrace it.

Via Telemundo

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