Overview
- Testifying in the cohecho trial, dermatologist Elisa Pinto said Javier López Madrid told her in 2013 he had contracted ex-commissioner José Manuel Villarejo, describing him as able to bury any complaint.
- López Madrid has denied hiring or paying Villarejo and portrayed himself as the target of a harassment campaign that he says caused severe distress to his family.
- The proceeding focuses only on the alleged hiring, with Pinto’s lawyer as acusación popular seeking six-year prison terms for López Madrid and Villarejo and four years for Villarejo’s associate Rafael Redondo, while the Fiscalía does not accuse.
- A witness, consultant Alejandro de Pedro, recounted López Madrid mentioning possible phone tampering, and a Guardia Civil analyst testified to a message about having a mobile backup for court that suggested device manipulation before the handset was delivered.
- A separate Madrid trial set for February will address alleged threats, coercion and a stabbing against Pinto, where the public prosecutor seeks 13-year sentences for López Madrid and Villarejo.