Felipe Pettinato was sentenced to three years in prison in April 2026 for culpable homicide by fire [1], [3].

The ruling concludes a legal battle over a fatal fire in the Belgrano neighborhood of Buenos Aires, establishing legal accountability for the death of a medical professional.

The incident occurred in May 2022 [1] in an apartment located in the Belgrano district [2]. The fire resulted in the death of Melchor Rodrigo, a neurologist [1], [2].

During the legal proceedings, the prosecution sought a significantly harsher penalty for the defendant. The prosecution said it requested a sentence of 15 years in prison [4]. However, the court ultimately imposed a custodial sentence of three years [3].

Expert testimony played a central role in the trial's conclusion. Nacho González Prieto served as an expert witness, providing a reconstruction of how the fire started and spread through the residence [1]. The court found that Pettinato's negligent actions caused the fire, leading to the conviction of culpable homicide by fire [1], [2].

The case remained under judicial review until the trial concluded in April 2026 [3]. The sentencing reflects the court's determination of responsibility regarding the negligence that led to the death of Rodrigo [1], [2].

“Felipe Pettinato was sentenced to three years in prison in April 2026 for culpable homicide by fire.”

The disparity between the prosecution's request for 15 years and the final three-year sentence suggests the court distinguished between intentional malice and criminal negligence. By convicting Pettinato of culpable homicide by fire, the judiciary has affirmed that negligent property management can carry severe custodial consequences when it results in loss of life.