The Trial of Pity Álvarez: A Day of Drawings, Naps, and Tension
On August 10, 2026, the oral and public trial began against Cristian 'Pity' Álvarez, the famous frontman of iconic Argentine rock bands Viejas Locas and Intoxicados, for the homicide of Cristian Maximiliano Díaz. The trial is taking place before the Oral Criminal and Correctional Court (TOC) N° 29 in Buenos Aires, presided over by judges Gustavo Goerner, Juan María Ramos Padilla, and Hugo Navarro.
The Context: What is Being Judged?
According to the case reconstruction, on July 12, 2018, in the Samoré housing complex located in Villa Lugano (a neighborhood in southern Buenos Aires), Álvarez and Díaz had an argument. Authorities investigated that the musician shot him four times in the head with a 6.35 caliber pistol. After the crime, he fled but turned himself in the next day at the local police station N° 52, where he admitted to being the shooter. The sentence requested for aggravated homicide with a firearm ranges from 10 years and eight months to 33 years and four months in prison.
The Rabbit, The T-Shirt, and a Forgotten ID
Media reports from inside the courtroom indicated that Pity Álvarez arrived with a distinctive look: a black hat, sunglasses, and a t-shirt with the phrase 'Y si esperás vas a entender' ('And if you wait, you will understand'), a lyric from his song 'Nunca quise'. While waiting, he took a black Bic pen and drew a rabbit on an A4 sheet, sparking curiosity about its potential connection to his song 'Pila Pila'.
When allowed to testify, he announced: 'I will testify later.' While completing his personal data, he could not remember his ID number (DNI) and mentioned that he suffers from hypertension, diabetes, and hip issues. Regarding addictions, he confessed to having been addicted to 'pasta base' (a cheap, highly addictive form of cocaine) until 1992, but assured the court he no longer uses drugs.
Tension, Snoring, and a Request for Suspension
The public defender, Javier Marino, requested to suspend the hearing arguing that the musician fell asleep and started snoring, proving he was not mentally present. However, prosecutor Sandro Abraldes strongly opposed: 'The other possibility is that this trial bores Mr. Álvarez. Falling asleep or being bored does not justify suspending a trial.'
Abraldes noted that the defendant was lucid during recent concerts at the Kempes stadium and the Roxy nightclub, as well as in an interview with Rolling Stone magazine. The court rejected the defense's request based on a report from the Forensic Medical Corps confirming his sufficient cognitive capacity. Additionally, sources mentioned he was acquitted in 2016 for threatening his manager due to the statute of limitations.
Upcoming Hearings: Seeking the Truth
Judicial sources indicated that 11 hearings are expected between August and September, with a total of 70 witnesses. The next session is scheduled for Wednesday, August 12, where 5 witnesses will testify, including the victim's then-partner, Verónica Román. The community looks forward to a transparent process that brings clarity and peace to all involved.