Ricardo Barreda

Case record: Ricardo Barreda

Background

Ricardo Alberto Barreda (born 1936, in La Plata, Buenos Aires Province) was an Argentine dentist. He was sentenced to life imprisonment on August 17, 1995.

Ricardo “Riqui” Barreda was accused of murdering members of his family, including his wife, his two daughters, and his mother-in-law. His longtime girlfriend was Hilda Bono, with whom he had an extramarital affair.

After his release, he was to live with his 71 years old girlfriend Berta “Pochi” André on a flat on the street Vidal 2300, in the Belgrano neighbourhood. Many graffitis appeared on the streets putting Barreda’s heterosexuality in question and others trying to get him out of the neighborhood.

An Argentine punk-rock band, Ataque 77, released an album called Antihumano in 2003. The album included a song called “Barreda’s Way,” which paid homage to the famous dentist. Ataque 77 also released a video for that song, which quickly became very popular and one of their most successful songs on this album.

The offence

On November 15, 1992, Ricardo Barreda murdered his wife Gladys Mac Donald, his two daughters Adriana and Cecilia, and his mother-in-law Elena Arreche at his home in La Plata.

Gladys Mac Donald was 57 years old. Elena Arreche was 86 years old. Adriana was a dentist and Cecilia was a lawyer; both daughters were both rounding their mid 20s.

Barreda said he killed his family because they insulted him with verbal and physical attacks at all times. He described names and treatment from his wife and family members, including that they called him “Conchita” (in English “pussy”) and referred to him as a useless, unemployed, perverted and mentally challenged being. He said he took his beloved shotgun and killed his family after becoming mad for the unpleasant treatment his wife gave him on that day.

Barreda used a 16.5 gauge, double barrel, Vda. e Hijos Victor Sarrasqueta shotgun, which was given to him as a gift by his mother-in-law.

He first shot his wife in the kitchen with a blast to her chest at very short distance. Cecilia, who was standing near his mother, was murdered next. After that, as he was reloading his gun, Adriana came running down the stairs shouting, and she did not reach the lowest step as she was killed with a blast to the head before.

Barreda said that after killing them all, he “saved the best for the last.” He then shot Elena Arreche with a double blast to the back and then another double blast to the head.

After killing them, Barreda pillaged his house with the purpose of faking a robbery. He also violently and fiercely raped their dead bodies through their open wounds; this last charge was not considered in court.

Barreda collected all empty shells and trashed his house. He drove his Ford Falcon to a park and threw the shotgun and the used shells there.

Investigation and confession

After the killings, Barreda went to a bar and drank a few beers. He returned to his home at 10 PM and called the police. He then confessed to the murders.

Barreda said he told the police that a robbery had occurred at his home. Later, he confessed all his crimes, including many minor driving-related felonies and other teenage-related vandalisms, including some apartheidist graffitis on public houses.

On the morning of November 15, 1992, Barreda was having a “nice day” until he became mad for the unpleasant treatment he received that particular day.

Other people and relationships

Hilda Bono was his longtime girlfriend, and both of them had an extramarital affair.

Eduardo Gutierrez was the lawyer of the dentist. He disagreed with the ruling that granted parole because he had asked for Barreda’s final release and not the parole.

Timeline

• November 15, 1992 — Ricardo Barreda murdered his wife Gladys Mac Donald, his two daughters Adriana and Cecilia, and his mother-in-law Elena Arreche at his home in La Plata.
• August 17, 1995 — Ricardo Barreda was sentenced to life imprisonment.
• 2003 — Ataque 77 released the album Antihumano, which included the song “Barreda’s Way,” and released a video for that song.
• 2008 — Ricardo Barreda was put under house arrest (home confinement).
• January 5, 2011 — The Court of La Plata granted parole to Ricardo Barreda, and he was released.

Arrest and custody

On May 7, 2008, Barreda was put under house arrest.

Last week, the Criminal Chamber made a new calculation of the years that Barreda was kept in prison, between 1992 and 2008, after which he complied with home confinement. The decision was taken by the Court of Appeals and Guarantees of La Plata.

Trial and sentencing

Ricardo Barreda was sentenced to life imprisonment on August 17, 1995.

Appeals

The Court of Appeals and Guarantees of La Plata took the decision regarding the parole calculation and Barreda’s parole.

Eduardo Gutierrez, the lawyer of the dentist, disagreed with the ruling because he had asked for his final release and not the parole.

Outcome and aftermath

On January 5, 2011, the Court of La Plata granted the parole to Ricardo Barreda, and he was released.

Barreda was described as living with his 71 years old girlfriend Berta “Pochi” André on a flat on the street Vidal 2300, in the Belgrano neighbourhood.