Suspended Bogota mayor Samuel Moreno will have to wait until noon on Friday to find out whether he will be sent to prison ahead of his corruption trial after the judge suspended proceedings.
Following a marathon hearing that dragged on into the night, the judge declared he would have to read the submitted evidence and consider his decison.
The prosecution had asked for the preliminary detention claiming Moreno posed a escape risk because he is a U.S. citizen, as he was born in Miami. Additionally, prosecutor Ricardo Gomez argued that if the court set him free they could not be sure he would attend future hearings.
Moreno has already missed two hearings, claiming he was not prepared as he had recently sacked his lawyer.
The court also heard there was a risk the suspended mayor would interfere with evidence and try to influence witnesses.
In a rebuttal that lasted nearly eight hours, Moreno’s defense attorney Mauricio Alarcon claimed his witness has been part of a conspiracy and an “act of vengence” by the Nule brothers.
He also claimed the prosecutor’s evidence was only circumstancial and his argument for preliminary detention lacked a constitutional basis.
The suspended Bogota mayor is charged with fraudulent contracting, embezzlement and extortion because he allegedly demanded a commission fee for every public works contract granted to private companies.
