John Poulos jailed for 42 years for femicide of Colombian DJ

·

American man John Poulos has been sentenced to more than 42 years in prison by a Colombian court, after he was found guilty of aggravated femicide in the killing of a young Colombian DJ named Valentina Trespalacios.

In Colombia, femicide — the killing of a woman because of her gender — is considered a more serious crime than homicide. Under Colombian law, femicide is often punished with a higher penalty.

The killing of Trespalacios occurred in Bogotá in January 2023, and has since captured public attention in Colombia.

According to accounts from her family and lawyers who took her case, Trespalacios had been in a romantic relationship with Poulos since 2021.

Colombian DJ named Valentina Trespalacios.
Colombian DJ named Valentina Trespalacios.

In a statement after the court ruling on Tuesday, the Office of the Attorney General of Colombia said its prosecutors had proven that Poulos struck and suffocated his partner and tried to hide the body in a suitcase.

The judge imposed a prison sentence of 42 years and eight months – about five years less than what prosecutors had requested.

Poulos has also been prohibited from approaching or attempting to communicate with Trespalacios’ family for 20 years, and the judge ordered that he be expelled from Colombia once he completes his sentence.

Poulos’ defence team has said it will appeal the judgement. It had argued that Poulos was innocent of femicide and that he should instead be tried for homicide, which would carry a lesser sentence.

The victim’s legal team, meanwhile, celebrated the sentence, saying it recognises that Trespalacios was a victim of various types of violence.

Source: CNN.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

The Greek passport (for Aussies) debacle: Part One

For quite a while now, I've been hearing complaints from Greek Australians about long delays in obtaining a Greek passport.

Harry Mavrolefteros’ First Education wins ‘Business of the Decade’ at National Awards

First Education, founded by Harry Mavrolefteros, was awarded 'Business of the Decade' at the 2025 Australian Small Business Champion Awards.

Little Legs Foundation sets monopoly World Record in memory of Alegra Vasiliou

The Little Legs Foundation officially set a new Guinness World Record for the most people playing Monopoly in a single venue.

Hellenic Medical Society of Australia’s Careers Day returns to inspire students

The Hellenic Medical Society of Australia invite all year 9-12 students to attend the HMSA ‘Pathways to Success’ Careers Day.

Melbourne man charged for impersonating police officer and assaulting families

Franesko Vamvakaris appeared in Ringwood Magistrates Court on Monday, facing charges of impersonating a police officer and unlawful assault.

You May Also Like

Fender Katsalidis’ Merdeka 118 building in Malaysia named world’s second tallest

The 118-storey skyscraper stands higher than China’s 2,073-foot Shanghai Tower but is dwarfed by the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.

Life in Greece is good except for employment

Greek Australians who visit Greece say they'd love to live here, but working here – or rather, not working within decent conditions here – stops them.

Nikitas Kardoulias: Surviving Darwin’s Cyclone Tracy and life in Central Africa

Nikitas Kardoulias lived through Cyclone Tracy, which was a tropical cyclone that hit and devastated Darwin from December 24 – 26, 1974.