Abhiroop Das
Netflix’s ’50 Seconds: The Fernando Báez Sosa Case,’ originally titled ’50 segundos: el caso Fernando Báez Sosa’ chronicles the real-life tragedy of Fernando Báez Sosa. In the morning of January 18, 2020, Fernando was beaten to death by a group of men, consisting of Ciro Pertossi, Luciano Pertossi, Lucas Pertossi and Matías Benicelli, right outside Le Brique nightclub in Villa Gesell, Argentina. Helmed by Martín Rocca, the Argentine true crime documentary series reassembles the many elements that led to this harrowing crime, blending interviews, reports, and creative recreations to convey exactly what happened. From there, the show also covers the investigative process and how that led to one of the most viewed court trials in Argentina’s history. Fernando’s demise led to widespread protests and demands for justice, and the series also explores how that impacted mass consciousness.
Ciro Pertossi is Likely Still an Inmate in Melchor Romero Prison
Ciro Pertossi, the elder brother of Luciano Pertossi and cousin of Lucas Pertossi, was named among the core co-conspirators in the murder of Fernando Báez Sosa and sentenced to life imprisonment on February 6, 2023. His involvement in the incident was confirmed by numerous eyewitnesses and video recordings, with one of Fernando’s friends claiming that they saw Ciro hit Fernando from the back and the side. Following Máximo and Luciano, Ciro was the third of the accused to speak in court. Reportedly, he claimed to have stopped attacking when he realized how severe Fernando’s injuries were. Another point of contention arose from his WhatsApp message shortly after the crime, in which he alerted the rest of the group not to disclose the fight to anyone. While this message seemed to be a self-protective measure with potentially malicious intent, Ciro claimed that he wrote those words to keep the truth from his parents.
Following his initial arrest on January 18, 2020, Ciro was put behind bars in the Dolores prison in Argentina, but was later transferred to Melchor Romero on March 13 of the same year. According to reports, Ciro has been imprisoned in the same facility since then, and though he has not made any public appearances during that time period, Máximo Thomsen’s descriptions of his experience can likely provide an approximate idea. Ciro’s father, Mauro Pertossi, and sister, Emilia Pertossi, have extensively questioned the court’s verdict on public platforms, despite the continued upholding of the judgment.
Luciano Pertossi is Serving his Life Sentence as of Writing
Ciro Pertossi’s younger brother, Luciano Pertossi, was the first of the accused to contact the court and speak voluntarily. Initially, he claimed not to have been present at the scene of the crime, but video recordings from specific angles contradicted his claim, leading to a complete criminal investigation. Eyewitnesses’ testimonies and video proof confirmed his role as one of the primary aggressors in Fernando’s death, and consequently, he was sentenced to life imprisonment on February 6, 2023. It is likely that he is incarcerated in Melchor Romero, as the rest of the seven convicted men, but Luciano has made no direct contact with the public and media sphere as of writing.
Given that inmates are allowed to use cellphones for playing cards, urgent messages, and other essential services, it is possible that Luciano Pertossi has been in contact with his family, who continue to believe in his alleged innocence. Notably, during the trial, Luciano and Ciro’s father, Mauro Pertossi, expressed dissatisfaction with the legal proceedings and public opinions, and claimed that his sons might be lazy teenagers, but not murderers. In the aftermath of the incident, Mauro reportedly lost his job at Toyota, which further added to the grim aftereffects of the incident.
Lucas Pertossi’s Claims of Innocence Were Ultimately Dismissed
Lucas Pertossi, the cousin of Ciro and Luciano Pertossi, was among the three men who were identified as secondary perpetrators in the murder of Fernando and sentenced to fifteen years in prison. According to reports, both Fernando’s parents and the prosecutor, Fernando Burlando, expressed dissatisfaction with the court’s judgment, as their hopes were to get a life sentence for Lucas and the two others. Notably, Lucas was identified by eyewitnesses as one of the people who tried to stop the beating, but at the same time, a witness named Pablo Gastón Zapata claimed that Lucas had attacked him before stealing his bike on a previous occasion, shrouding the case in even more intrigue. Although little is known about Lucas’s current whereabouts, it is likely that he continues to serve his sentence in the Melchor Romero prison.
Matías Benicelli, AKA the Man With a Samurai Bun, Was Sentenced to Life Imprisonment
Alongside Máximo, Ciro, and Lucio Pertossi, and Enzo Comelli, Matías Benicelli was declared to be a core co-conspirator in the murder case and sentenced to life imprisonment, presumably in the Melchor Romero prison. Reportedly, Benicelli changed lawyers sometime during this process, going from Hugo Tomei to Carlos Attias. Just like Lucas Pertossi, not much is known about Benicelli’s life as an inmate, and Máximo’s accounts are the primary source of information.
As per reports, Benicelli’s father, Héctor Eduardo, testified at the trial, describing the pain and utter anguish that the family had felt since Benicelli’s participation in the murder of Fernando. He also claimed that his son did not go out with the express intention of killing someone. That idea is echoed by most of the accused’s family members, despite the ultimate conviction finding him guilty of aggravated homicide, based on solid evidence.
Read More: Máximo Pablo Thomsen: Where is Fernando Báez Sosas’ Killer Now?
