Alleged Rapist Avoids Jail for a Year After Judge Postpones Hearing 15 Times

Cancun, Quintana Roo — A man accused of rape has avoided pretrial detention for more than a year after a judge postponed his initial hearing 15 times, drawing criticism from a women’s rights group that says the delays have revictimized the alleged survivor.

Norberto N., who faces a rape complaint supported by evidence presented to the court, has managed to delay justice since March 2025. The women’s collective Xtabay denounced the repeated postponements, noting that the victim has been forced to appear at court 15 times only to learn the hearing would not take place.

The hearing was originally scheduled for March 21, 2025, but was postponed because prosecutor Pascuala Ruiz Vazquez failed to attend. Judge Rodrigo Barrera Diaz granted the first of what would become 15 delays. Fourteen months later, the hearing has still not been held.

According to the collective, the State Prosecutor’s Office was responsible for seven of the delays, the judiciary for four, and the defendant for four. On three occasions, the prosecutor did not show up; the prosecutor was replaced three times, and on two occasions new prosecutors requested delays because they were unfamiliar with the case.

Two hearings were postponed because the defendant was not notified in time, one because the judge had a scheduling conflict, and the most recent on May 27, 2026, because the defense argued that a DNA test result had not yet been added to the case file. The victim’s lawyer said the judge’s decision violated her right to swift justice.

The defendant claimed illness on three occasions, changed his lawyer once, and on another occasion his lawyer did not appear without justification. The victim’s lawyer noted that hearings are held via videoconference, making health excuses questionable, and that the defendant never presented a valid medical certificate.

After the 15th failed hearing, a new date was set for June 16. The victim stated that authorities have repeatedly violated her right to prompt and expeditious justice, prioritizing the rights of the accused over her own.

Timeline of Postponed Hearings

• March 21, 2025: Prosecutor failed to attend.
• May 14, 2025: New prosecutor requested time to review the case.
• June 19, 2025: Defense attorney cited illness.
• July 4, 2025: Defendant changed lawyers; new defense requested time.
• July 25, 2025: Defendant claimed illness; victim’s lawyer questioned medical note.
• October 9, 2025: Court had scheduling conflict.
• November 21, 2025: Defendant and defense did not appear; notification not timely.
• December 2, 2025: Defendant absent; defense refused to provide his whereabouts.
• January 8, 2026: Defendant again claimed illness; victim’s lawyer requested verification.
• February 10, 2026: Neither defendant nor prosecutor connected; request for permanent prosecutor.
• February 19, 2026: New prosecutor unfamiliar with case.
• February 27, 2026: Defense attorney absent.
• March 10, 2026: Prosecutor absent; defendant named third lawyer.
• March 26, 2026: No prosecutor appeared; defendant changed defense again.
• May 27, 2026: Defense requested delay pending DNA test result.