Seville court acquits man in Ana Buza death case

The Provincial Court of Seville has acquitted Rafael V. P. of charges related to the 2019 death of 19-year-old Ana Buza. A popular jury rejected claims that the defendant intentionally struck the victim with a vehicle or caused her death through negligence.

The incident occurred on the A-4 highway near Carmona while the victim was traveling with her partner. While the jury found it proven that the defendant was driving at approximately 117 km/h in an 80 km/h zone, they ruled that the victim was ejected from the vehicle for reasons that could not be determined, and it was unclear if her exit was voluntary.

The prosecution had initially sought a three-year prison sentence for reckless homicide but later requested acquittal after finding no evidence of an intentional strike. The victim's family, who had alleged the incident was linked to gender-based violence, may appeal the decision to the High Court of Justice of Andalusia.