Trial Begins for Former Chief of Staff of Collipulli Accused of Rape and Sexual Abuse After Three Years

Original article: Tras más de tres años comienza juicio contra exjefe de gabinete de Collipulli acusado de violación y abuso sexual

On Monday, August 17, the Oral Criminal Court in Angol began the trial against Daniel Fernando Valencia Cifuentes, the former chief of staff of the Municipality of Collipulli, who has been accused by the Public Prosecutor’s Office of rape and sexual abuse against a woman employed as a security guard at municipal premises.

According to the prosecution’s charges, the alleged crimes took place on April 12, 2023, within the Municipality of Collipulli. More than three years later, the case finally reaches oral trial, following extensive judicial procedures and multiple delays in the commencement of the process.

Prosecution Seeks 11 Years in Prison

The Public Prosecutor’s Office is requesting two sentences that total 11 years in prison for Valencia: seven years for the charge of rape and four years for sexual abuse.

The trial will take place over several sessions in Angol, where participants will present evidence and testimonies to support their respective case theories to the court.

The defendant’s private attorney, Dionisio Ulloa Berrocal, maintains that Valencia is innocent. Prior to the trial’s commencement, the lawyer stated that they have evidence to demonstrate what he termed the «absolute innocence» of his client and expressed confidence in securing a verdict of acquittal.

Currently, Valencia is free but subject to precautionary measures, as confirmed by his defense.

Arrested Four Months After the Alleged Incidents

The investigation dates back to April 2023. Valencia was arrested by investigative police on August 11 of that year, approximately four months after the alleged incidents, which later became the basis for the charges.

Following his arrest, he was formally charged with rape and sexual abuse, and the court initially ordered his preventive detention, with a three-month window for the investigation.

The maximum precautionary measure remained a topic of discussion throughout the proceedings. In September 2024, the Guarantee Court in Collipulli reaffirmed the preventive detention, deeming that the defendant’s release constituted a danger to the safety of society. His defense challenged this ruling and stated their intention to appeal to the Appeals Court in Temuco.

Later, the precautionary measures were modified, and the accused is now facing the trial while free.

A Trial That Had Already Been Postponed

The process was initially scheduled to begin on August 3, but the Oral Criminal Court in Angol had to suspend the hearing due to health issues affecting one of the judges.

As a result, the start was rescheduled to this Monday, August 17. At that time, a six-day schedule was envisioned to conduct the oral trial.

With the hearing that began on Monday, a crucial phase of the case has commenced: it will be up to the judges to assess the evidence presented by the prosecution, the plaintiffs, and the defense to subsequently determine whether or not there is criminal responsibility for the accused.

Victim Previously Spoke to Novena Digital

Novena Digital had previously covered this case when the complainant chose to publicly share her testimony about the events and the consequences she faced afterward.

At that time, the woman criticized the response she received from the Municipality of Collipulli and expressed feelings of abandonment and re-victimization throughout the process. She also claimed to have been dismissed while on medical leave related to the consequences of the alleged events.

When the initial complaint was made public in 2023, the mayor of Collipulli, Manuel Macaya, reported that he had ordered an internal administrative inquiry within the municipality and that the information had been submitted to the Public Prosecutor’s Office.

Now, more than three years since the events that sparked the investigation, the oral trial will judicially establish what occurred and determine the potential criminal responsibility of Daniel Valencia.

The accused is presumed innocent until a court issues a guilty verdict.

This article was originally published by Novena Digital and reproduced in full by El Ciudadano.