'Hell on Earth: The Verónica Case': Mother's pursuit of justice for daughter sets stage for Max series
BENEJÚZAR, SPAIN: 'Hell on Earth: The Verónica Case' aka 'La Mano En El Fuego' will start streaming on HBO Max from Tuesday, May 21, 2024.
Directed by Elena Molina, 'Hell on Earth: The Verónica Case' delves into the shocking and harrowing story of 13 years old girl, Verónica Rodríguez García, who was raped by her 63 years old neighbor, Antonio Cosme.
However, Verónica faced victim-blaming and scrutiny, which further isolated her and made her feel unsafe in her town.
Max's documentary series not only exposes the crime but also delves into its broader repercussions, including disbelief and community division.
Let's discuss the true story on which 'La Mano En El Fuego' is based.
Who is Verónica Rodríguez García?
Verónica Rodríguez García is the daughter of María del Carmen García. Their lives were irrevocably changed in October 1998 when Verónica, then only 13 years old, accused their neighbor, Antonio Cosme, also known as 'Pincelito' in their town, of sexually assaulting her.
The traumatic event placed immense emotional strain on both Verónica and her mother. At that time, they were living in the town of Benejúzar, Spain, as reported by EL PAÍS.
Despite ample evidence, many residents questioned Verónica's account and sided with Cosme, creating a deeply polarized and hostile environment for the teenage girl and her family.
Many residents found it inconceivable that a man like Cosme could perpetrate such a heinous act in their neighborhood.
What happened to Verónica Rodríguez García?
On October 17, 1998, María del Carmen García instructed her daughter Verónica to fetch a package of bread, a routine task that was part of their daily routine.
Verónica, who was just 13 years old, set out to the local store to purchase a package of bread. Along the way, she crossed paths with their neighbor, Cosme, affectionately known in the community as 'Pincelito.'
Cosme, who was 63 years old, grabbed her dress, put a knife on her neck, and forcibly took her to a nearby forest. Subsequently, Cosme raped the teenage girl.
Verónica recounted her ordeal to her mother, overcome with shock and distress. María del Carmen García, resolute in seeking justice for her daughter, wasted no time in contacting the authorities to report the sexual assault.
The medical reports revealed traces of semen on the girl's underwear and body, as reported by La Nación.
Did Antonio Cosme get sentenced?
In December 2000, after a lengthy legal process, the court delivered its verdict. Cosme was sentenced to nine years in prison, and he was ordered to pay compensation of 18,000 euros to Verónica and her family.
It marked a significant milestone in the pursuit of justice for Verónica and her mother, María del Carmen García.
Despite the verdict, the emotional scars left by the assault persisted. Verónica and her mother had to navigate the long road to healing, exacerbated by victim-blaming from society.
They were compelled to relocate due to incessant taunting from the community, rendering it impossible for them to live peacefully in their former neighborhood, as reported by La Nación.
María del Carmen García burned her daughter's rapist alive
In June 2005, during a leave from prison, Cosme was spotted in Benejúzar, Spain. He approached María del Carmen García and asked, "Good morning, madam, how is your daughter?"
The encounter reignited the pain and anger María del Carmen García had been grappling with for years. The man then proceeded to a small bar in the city to relish his newfound freedom.
María del Carmen García purchased a container of fuel, returned to the bar where Cosme was, and set him ablaze. Cosme died of the severity of the burns at La Fe Hospital in Valencia, Spain.
She was sentenced in 2010 to nine and a half years in prison by the Provincial Court. However, the Supreme Court reduced her sentence to five and a half years, acknowledging her temporary insanity at the time of the incident.
In 2018, she completed her sentence and has since kept a low profile, staying out of the public eye, as reported by La Nación.
How to stream 'Hell on Earth: The Verónica Case' aka 'La Mano En El Fuego'?
'Hell on Earth: The Verónica Case' aka 'La Mano En El Fuego' will start streaming on HBO Max on Tuesday, May 21, 2024.
If you don't have access, a basic Max subscription with ads costs $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year. For an ad-free experience, the subscription is $15.00 per month or $149.99 for a year.
Both options allow streaming on up to two devices simultaneously in full HD 1080p quality.
With the ad-free tier, users can download up to 30 shows or movies for offline viewing. Max also offers an 'Ultimate' subscription tier, which is ad-free and permits streaming on four devices at once.
This tier includes 100 downloads for offline viewing and provides the option to watch certain titles in 4KHD with Dolby Atmos sound, provided compatible equipment is available.
The Ultimate plan costs $19.99 per month or $199.99 for a 12-month subscription.
'Hell on Earth: The Verónica Case' aka 'La Mano En El Fuego' trailer