Episode Details

In this episode of pplpod, we explore the controversial 2012 legal saga of Gastón Mansilla Yupanqui, a Peruvian university student whose act of self-defense sparked a national outrage.

While walking in Lima, Mansilla was accosted by two muggers armed with switchblades. Possessing a valid concealed carry permit, he defended himself with a firearm, resulting in the death of one attacker, Víctor Ríos Acevedo. However, instead of being exonerated, Mansilla was arrested and charged with homicide based on the Law of Proportionality—a repealed legal concept arguing that a victim’s defense weapon must match the aggressor's.

Tune in as we discuss:

• The details of the attack on Tacna Avenue and the immediate police response.
• The confusing application of Peruvian law that kept a victim in jail for using a gun against a knife.
• The massive public outcry and political intervention from figures like Renzo Reggiardo and Juan Díaz Dios that challenged the judiciary.
• The eventual suspension of Judge Asunción Puma León and Mansilla’s dramatic release.

Join us for a deep dive into crime in Peru, the justice system's flaws, and the fight for victim rights.