Colombia Court Sentences American Man to Over 42 Years for Killing His Girlfriend

American man John Nelson Poulos was sentenced to 42 years in prison for murdering Colombia DJ Valentina Trespalacios, drawing international attention and outrage from women's rights activists.

John Poulos, arrested in Panama in January 2023 while fleeing had been in a relationship with Trespalacios for nearly a year.

Prosecutors revealed he killed her in a jealous rage, beating and suffocating her, CBS News reports.

Security footage showed Poulos leaving his apartment with a suitcase, later found to contain her body.

Poulos, a Franklin, Wisconsin resident who filed for divorce in 2021, was convicted of aggravated femicide and evidence concealment.

The Attorney General of Colombia reported security footage captured Poulos wrapping Trespalacios' body, placing it in a suitcase, and disposing of it in a Bogota garbage container.

Authorities discovered her body hours later.

Femicide in Colombia

The judge ruled the evidence sufficient for conviction, though the sentence was slightly less than the prosecution's request.

American man is also banned from contacting Colombia DJ's family for 20 years and will be expelled from Colombia after his sentence.

John Poulos' defense plans to appeal, arguing he should be tried for homicide, which carries a lighter sentence than femicide, a more serious crime in Colombia, according to CNN.

The European Institute for Gender Equality defines femicide as the killing of a woman due to her gender, often linked to intimate partner violence and other misogynistic acts.

Femicide has been a distinct crime in Colombia since 2015. Despite the Colombian Femicide Observatory recording 612 femicides last year, the government reported only 100 cases, highlighting discrepancies and the pervasive issue of gender-based violence.

Valentina Trespalacios' uncle expressed hope that Poulos' conviction would set a global precedent against femicide.

Trespalacios, a rising music star, had been in a relationship with Poulos since 2021. Her late-night work in clubs fueled his jealousy and controlling behavior.

Poulos even hired a private investigator, suspecting infidelity.

The trial exposed the toxic relationship, with Trespalacios' mother testifying about Poulos' jealousy and control.

Poulos also tried to manipulate her younger brother with money and gifts to keep her in the relationship.

International Outrage and Legal Implications

The murder of Valentina Trespalacios sparked outrage in Colombia and drew international attention to femicide.

The case underscored the need for stronger protections against domestic violence and gender-based crimes.

During the trial, prosecutors detailed Poulos' meticulous planning and violent assault on Trespalacios.

The judge dismissed Poulos' claim of accidental death, convicting him of femicide and evidence concealment for disposing of Trespalacios' body in a suitcase far from the crime scene.

The judge emphasized the severity of Poulos' actions, denying any possibility of a reduced sentence or house arrest, The City Paper noted.

Poulos will be deported after serving his prison term, and his lengthy sentence serves as a warning against gender-based violence.

Poulos maintained his innocence, but his ex-wife testified to his controlling and abusive behavior, supporting the prosecution's portrayal.

The Attorney General's Office noted Poulos' pattern of intimidation and manipulation.

While Poulos faces a lengthy prison term, the murder of Laura Lopera by Canadian suspect Jesse Wiseman remains unresolved, highlighting ongoing violence against women.

American man, John Poulos' conviction, marks a significant moment in Colombia's fight against femicide, reinforcing the need for continued efforts to protect women and hold perpetrators accountable.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Ross Key

WATCH: What is femicide, the crime John Poulos is charged with in the Colombia murder case? - From CBS 58