On the cover of the trial file of Joanot Cortés, Moixina's son, there is one word in the margin: «Minor». In Castile at the time, legal majority came at twenty-five, and the tribunal had to appoint a guardian to represent him.
It did. The guardian was Dr. Rafael Calafat, who was also his defense lawyer, and his father's lawyer too. The only adult meant to protect the young man in court was appointed by the same tribunal that was trying him.
His first hearing was on 22 March 1688, the same week as the failed escape. When he entered cell number 19, the clerk searched him and described him: «of medium height, somewhat dark, with thick lips and a thick nose, black eyes and black hair», dressed in black baize, «very old breeches… black shoes and hat, all old». On his person, the clerk noted, «nothing forbidden was found».
It is the only portrait of him we have, and his jailers made it. Joanot was voted to the stake. His sentence was commuted. His father burned in 1691.
