In the first penalty hearing for Cecilia Strzyzowski's femicide, the Sena clan's defenses sought to nullify the verdict due to media contamination and requested medical evaluations to influence sentences. Prosecutor Martín Bogado dismissed the requests, stating they do not belong in this phase. The trial in Chaco resumes Thursday to determine penalties.
Cecilia Strzyzowski's femicide, which took place in June 2023 in Chaco province, shocked Argentine society and sparked calls for justice. On November 15, 2025, a popular jury found the Sena clan members guilty: César Sena as the author of the doubly aggravated homicide due to the relationship and gender violence, his parents Emerenciano Sena and Marcela Acuña as necessary participants, Fabiana González and Gustavo Obregón for aggravated cover-up, and Gustavo Melgarejo for simple cover-up.
In Wednesday's penalty hearing on November 26, conducted by the Second Criminal Chamber, the defenses sought to annul the verdict. César Sena's lawyer, Celeste Segovia, argued: “it was a process marked by vices, uncontrolled media exposure, and a series of irregularities that tainted the jury's impartiality. A contaminated trial cannot produce a valid sentence”. The lawyers for Emerenciano Sena and Marcela Acuña joined, citing stigmatization and social pressures.
Prosecutor Martín Bogado rejected the nullity, stating: “Any attack on the deliberation process does not belong in this penalty hearing and must be rejected. The defenses present no concrete proof of alleged jury pressures”. Additionally, the defenses requested psychiatric evaluations for César Sena, handled by Gabriela Tomljenovic, who sought a full medical board to assess his current and retrospective mental state, referencing prior psychological care.
For Emerenciano Sena, Ricardo Osuna requested his prison medical history. Marcela Acuña's defender, Celeste Ojeda, submitted reports on ovarian cancer, cerebral aneurysm, nodules, heart attack, and hyperthyroidism, requesting a board for possible house arrest under Penal Code Article 10 and Law 24.660 Article 33. Bogado insisted: “This is not the instance to discuss house arrests”.
Judge Dolly Fernández will decide on these proofs. The hearing resumes Thursday at 9:00 a.m. and may extend to Friday, with expected penalties from life imprisonment to lesser terms, closing one of Chaco's most high-profile cases.