"Facebook Killing" Suspect Formally Charged With 1st-Degree Murder
MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) — The man accused of killing his wife and posting a picture of her dead body on Facebook was formally charged with first-degree murder Monday.
A grand jury indicted 31-year-old Derek Medina last week. A hearing was held for the new charge on Monday, with a plea hearing set for Wednesday. Medina had previously pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder with a firearm.
Medina told detectives after his arrest that he was acting in self-defense when he shot 26-year-old Jennifer Alonso on Aug. 8 at their South Miami home.
Family, friends and coworkers all told police the couple argued all the time and that both were jealous people.
Medina turned himself into police and told them Jennifer came at him with a kitchen knife.
Reports from police officers who first encountered Medina when he walked into the South Miami Police Department indicate he "spontaneously" said, "I had an argument with my wife and she was hitting me. She always hits me all the time. I got tired of her hitting me so I shot her."
Detectives reported seeing "…no obvious signs of injuries. Mr. Medina also did not complain of any injuries."
When officers asked dispatchers to send fire rescue to the couple's house, Medina again blurted out "oh she's dead. I know she's dead because I emptied my 380 in her. Five shots."
But a police detective testified at an October hearing that forensic evidence indicates Alonso was on her knees with one arm raised in front of her at the time of the shooting.
Messages seeking comment from Medina's attorney weren't immediately returned.
TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
