Lawyer Accused of Juror Surveillance During Cecilia Strzyzowski Femicide Trial
A member of Emerenciano Sena’s legal team was detained Wednesday morning after allegedly attempting to photograph potential jurors during jury selection for the ongoing femicide trial of Cecilia Strzyzowski. The incident, which occurred in Resistencia, Chaco, has ignited a new wave of scrutiny surrounding the Sena family and their defense strategy.
The individual has been identified as Nicolás Boniardi Cabra, a collaborator with Ricardo Osuna, Sena Sr.’s attorney. According to Chaco Police Chief Fernando Romero, Boniardi was taken into custody and his phone was seized after being observed making suspicious movements near the jurors. He was transferred to the 4th Police Station on charges of “Judicial Disobedience.”
The alleged incident unfolded around 11:30 AM, prior to a scheduled recess in the proceedings. While cell phone use is permitted within the courtroom, recording or photographing jurors is strictly prohibited to protect their anonymity and prevent intimidation. Security personnel reportedly noticed Boniardi standing near the potential jurors, holding his phone in a manner suggesting he was attempting to capture their images.
“He would have moved around panning the jurors with his cell phone, which motivated the immediate intervention of police personnel,” explained General Commissioner Fernando Javier Romero, head of the Chaco Police. Prosecutor Ana González de Pacce ordered Boniardi’s arrest and the confiscation of his iPhone, which was secured in airplane mode and an aluminum envelope to preserve evidence.
Reports from North Newspaper indicate conflicting accounts of Boniardi’s actions. Some sources suggest he attempted to make direct contact with a juror, while others claim he was actively photographing the entire panel. “Were you trying to influence any member of the jury? Why did you take photos?” the Chaco news outlet reported asking.
This incident follows a recent attempt by Ricardo Osuna to gain access to the identities of the potential jurors, a request that was denied by Judge Dolly Fernández. Gabriela Tomljenovic, attorney for César Sena, defended Osuna’s request, stating, “He did not ask for anything that is outside the norm. Seven days before the trial it can be requested. The law provides for it.” Tomljenovic argued that knowing the jurors’ names would allow the defense to identify potential biases or conflicts of interest.
Cecilia Strzyzowski’s mother, Gloria Romero, expressed concern over Osuna’s earlier request, stating, “I learned that Emerenciano’s lawyer asked to access the identities of the potential jurors. That scared me because they are people who are going to continue living in Chaco.”
Boniardi’s past conduct is also under scrutiny. He previously served as an official in the Chaco Ministry of Security from January to June 2023, and was reportedly compelled to resign after joining Sena’s defense team due to questions surrounding his activities. Gloria Salazar, the former Chaco Minister of Security and Justice, described the termination of his position as “immediately and irrevocably” effective.
According to North Newspaper, Boniardi has been excluded from the trial premises, and his professional registration is now at risk. The Superior Court of Justice will determine whether his actions warrant a suspension or permanent disqualification, a possibility legal experts deem likely in cases of obstruction of justice or serious misconduct. The investigation into the alleged juror surveillance continues, raising further questions about the tactics employed by the defense in this high-profile femicide case.
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