Franklin man sentenced in DJ girlfriend's killing in Colombia
FRANKLIN, Wis. - It was January 2023 when police arrested Franklin native John Poulos at an airport in Panama.
Prosecutors say he'd planned his getaway after suffocating his girlfriend to death, though he said he didn't do it.
Inside a Colombian courtroom, Poulos blamed drug use and a sex act gone wrong for the death of his girlfriend, 21-year-old Valentina Trespalacios.
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Prosecutors say on Jan. 22, 2023, he hit and strangled her to death inside their Airbnb before stuffing her body into a suitcase. Security cameras show Poulos take the suitcase downstairs and load it into the back of his rental car.
The suitcase – and Trespalacious' body – were found near a dumpster about 45 minutes away.
Police arrested Poulos before extraditing him back to Colombia.
Franklin man murdered DJ girlfriend in Colombia, stuffed body in suitcase: prosecutors
A Franklin man is accused of killing his girlfriend, a popular DJ in Colombia, and stuffing her body inside a suitcase before trying to flee the country.
Richard Emblin covered the case for Colombia’s The City Paper Bogotá. He said 37-year-old Poulos did confess to one thing.
"This case has really been John Poulos's word against all the evidence," Emblin said. "He admitted that it was the worst mistake of his life to have, let's say, left the apartment with valentina's body in the suitcase."
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Tuesday, the judge found Poulos guilty of "femicide," the murder of a woman because of her gender, and of concealing evidence. He sentenced Poulos to 42 years and eight months in prison.
This was lower than the prosecution’s request.
"It was evident that the sentencing was going to be swift, harsh and unforgiving," Emblin said.
Poulos is being held in a maximum security prison in Bogotá.
Last year, Poulos' ex-wife said she was "unaware" of the double life he was living.
Colombia's justice system does not include jury trials. All evidence is presented for a judge to decide. The defense had argued it was a homicide, not femicide, in asking for a lower sentence.
They are expected to appeal the sentence.
Statement from Ashley Poulos:
I am at a loss for words how to properly convey all the emotions that come along with this verdict. My thoughts and prayers are with Valentina’s family as they grieve their loss, as their hearts will forever be broken. I am extremely grateful for the tireless work of the prosecution and judicial system that has brought justice for all the families whose lives have been affected by John’s devastating actions. As the children and I process all that has transpired, I am reminded how fortunate we are to be safe and surrounded by so much love and support. I am sad that the children will forever carry the memories of a father that caused them so much pain. We will continue picking up the pieces of John’s destruction, but are working to find closure and healing as this chapter of our life closes. I have no further comment, and ask that you please respect our privacy.