Police: Man Struck, Choked To Death By Roommate At Hospital
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MIAMI BEACH (CBSMiami) — Questions remain after a hospital patient was found dead in his room.
23-year-old Andre Brown was arrested Sunday by Miami Beach Police and charged with second-degree murder in the death of 55-year-old Alejandro Ortega.
The two were roommates at Miami Sinai Medical Center.
Officers found Ortega bludgeoned and bleeding from the head on his bathroom floor and said Brown told them he struck Ortega several times before choking him because he tried to touch Brown inappropriately.
The incident took place on Saturday.
Ortega's son called police to the hospital on Saturday night when he wasn't allowed to see his father or given a reason why.
After arriving, officers found Brown in the hospital's TV lounge where he claimed that it was self-defense and that he "had to do it."
In a statement, Mt. Sinai spokeswoman Joanna Palmer called this a "tragic incident that took place within the confines of our psychiatric health unit. Our deepest sympathies are with the deceased's family and friends. The safety and well-being of our patients is our top priority. We continue to work with authorities in their investigation."
Ortega's family said Sunday night that they have retained an attorney. Police charged Brown with second-degree murder.
It's unclear whether Brown has an attorney.
"That hospital is an intake unit for us for mental health," explained Miami Beach Police Officer Ernesto Rodriguez. "Officers on a daily basis encounter folks who are in need of mental health. We deal with them on a day to day basis. During this investigation Mt. Sinai has provided nothing but full cooperation. This is a very unfortunate incident."
