A judge in Parla, Madrid has proposed trying Spanish actor Juanjo Ballesta for an alleged sexual assault on a woman in July 2022. The victim filed a complaint alleging that Ballesta and another man sexually assaulted her on different occasions. "The investigation reveals the commission of the alleged crime attributed to Ballesta and another individual," the judge concluded.
Despite the victim's reported schizophrenia and inconsistencies in her account, the judge has determined there is adequate evidence to proceed with a trial. The woman was admitted to a psychiatric hospital for 12 days after the alleged incident. Ballesta has maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings, and his lawyer had previously requested the case be dismissed due to contradictions in the victim's statements.
Why this matters: The case highlights the challenges in prosecuting sexual assault allegations when the victim's credibility may be called into question due to mental health issues. It also emphasizes the importance of comprehensively investigating such claims, even in the face of inconsistent accounts, to ensure justice is served.
The next step in the legal process is for the judge to issue an order to open the oral trial. "Ballesta has maintained his innocence and his lawyer had previously requested the proceedings to be archived due to the contradictions in the victim's statements," according to court documents. The trial date has not yet been set. If convicted, Ballesta could face a substantial prison sentence under Spain's sexual assault laws.
Key Takeaways
- Spanish actor Juanjo Ballesta accused of sexual assault in 2022.
- Victim filed complaint alleging assault by Ballesta and another man.
- Judge determined adequate evidence to proceed with trial despite victim's mental health issues.
- Ballesta maintains innocence, lawyer requested case dismissal due to victim's contradictions.
- If convicted, Ballesta could face substantial prison sentence under Spain's sexual assault laws.