6 key points in the shocking murder of non-binary Judge Ociel Baena in Mexico

• 6 key points in Judge Ociel Baena’s murder.
• Many don’t believe it was a murder-suicide.
• Should it be investigated as a hate crime?

Mexico is still in shock almost a week after the brutal murder of Judge Jesús Ociel Baena.

He was the first person to have their gender officially changed to non-binary and hold that position in Mexico.

The discovery of Baena’s lifeless body alongside that of his partner in their residence in Aguascalientes sparked many questions.

The state prosecutor’s office maintains that that is was a murder-suicide, but his family rejects this theory.

6 key points about Ociel Baena’s murder

Jesús Ociel Baena was born in Saltillo, Coahuila. His career was marked by advocating for LGBTQ individuals in Mexican politics.

According to the National Observatory of Hate Crimes against LGBTQ+ People in Mexico, it has the second highest number of hate crimes in Latin America.

On May 17, he became the first person in Mexico to receive a passport with a non-binary gender identity.

In October of last year, he was appointed as a judge in an electoral court.

Jesús Ociel Baena was found dead in his home

Another key point about Ociel Baena’s murder is that his lifeless body was found alongside that of his partner, Dorián Daniel Nieves.

They were found inside the home they shared in Aguascalientes, Mexico.

Although the government asked people not to «jump to conclusions» at the time, the stab wounds raised alarms that is was a possible hate crime.

Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and numerous LGBTQ asked for this angle to be investigated.

The state prosecutor’s office claims it was a murder-suicide

Secretary of Public Security of Aguascalientes, Manuel Alonso García, stated that they found no trace of a third person in the house.

This is supported by the State Attorney General, Jesús Figueroa, who indicated that it «could be a personal matter.»

LGBTQ organizations began an unprecedented national mobilization with vigils and protests in more than 30 cities after this announcement.

They shouted the slogan: «crime of passion, national lie» because they feel the prosecutor is trying to close the case too quickly.

Baena’s family rejects the prosecutor’s theory

Another key point about Ociel Baen’s murder is that his family doesn’t agree with the Aguascalientes prosecutor’s theory of what happened.

His father, Juan Baena, criticized this position as «a lack of respect for intelligence.»

«What they are saying is not true, and it would be a shame to let that justice make a judgment that is not correct.»

At his son’s funeral, Juan stated that most people don’t believe this version of events.

The federal government calls for the murders to be investigated as a hate crime

Moments before the state prosecutor’s office announced its theory about the murders, the federal government advocated for an investigation focusing on it being a hate crime.

They call for considering «intersectionality and gender perspective criteria» in the murder of Jesús Ociel Baena.

Additionally, the prosecutor had already stated that the inquiry had been opened.

This was done «under the standardized protocol for the investigation of crimes committed against LGBTQ+ people.»

The CNDH accuses the prosecutor of «inappropriate treatment»

The Mexican National Human Rights Commission (CNDH) accused the Aguascalientes prosecutor of «inappropriate treatment» regarding Jesús Ociel Baena’s case.

They say that the investigation «cannot be oblivious to the gender identity of the victims.»

Also, they demanded a «prompt and thorough examination.» This was also requested by the U.S. State Department.

Finally, they urge the investigation to look into death threats made against the judge shortly before his death.