The legal team defending Jonathan Andic, led by lawyer Cristóbal Martell, has opted for a media strategy to counter the evidence presented by the judge and the Mossos d'Esquadra. Although Martell rarely makes statements, his expert, private detective Francisco Marco, has taken on the role of speaking to the media.
Recently, Catalunya Ràdio released audio recordings of Jonathan Andic's initial calls to 112 and the Fire Department following the fall of his father, Isak Andic, founder of Mango. In the recordings, Jonathan can be heard crying and struggling to speak, stating: "I need help, my father has fallen. We are in Collbató and he has fallen down a ravine." Francisco Marco has interpreted these calls as a sign of "the desperation of a son who has lost his father."
Legal experts consulted agree that in high-profile cases, it is common for information from the investigation to emerge. The defense can use this opportunity to offer their version of events and gain public visibility, especially if the case goes to a jury trial.
Criminal lawyer Carles Monguilod explains that in such cases, a "parallel trial" occurs, forcing defense teams to adopt a "reactive" stance to counter the prosecution's narrative, as the jury "will be contaminated." According to Monguilod, this media defense also serves to protect the accused's reputation, even if the case doesn't reach trial.
Lawyer Míriam Company, from Molins Defensa Penal, adds that a "counterpoint" is needed to the "accusatory narrative" that had been known until now. She argues that silence can be counterproductive, as public opinion might interpret it as suspicious. However, she acknowledges that professional judges have a greater capacity to "abstract themselves" from media influence.
A criminal lawyer with experience in high-profile trials points out the impossibility of maintaining judicial secrecy today, as information "leaks" constantly. He considers calls for a "pact" to prevent the publication of judicial documents "utopian," anticipating that this trend will increase.
This expert emphasizes that, in both jury trials and those with professional judges, jury members have already been exposed to "thousands" of news reports about the case. Therefore, he believes it is essential for lawyers to be able to convince the jury that, despite the information they have heard, they must base their decision on the evidence presented during the trial. While acknowledging that media coverage can have an initial influence, he is confident it will not affect the final verdict.
Regarding the Andic case, this jurist interprets that the defense is "counterattacking" to ensure the jury also hears favorable arguments. While acknowledging that the strategy has succeeded in disseminating the defense's narrative, he warns that "the cards are very clear" and the "defense strategy is visible to everyone," leaving few "surprises for the interrogations."
