A Florida honor roll student charged with murdering his mother in a gruesome stabbing attack then sending photos of her corpse to his friends appeared in court today for the first time.
Derek Rosa, 13, looked disorientated and confused as he listened to lawyers and the judge at a brief hearing in Miami. He is being charged as an adult for the murder of his mother, 39-year-old Irina Garcia.
Derek’s attorneys have entered a plea of not guilty and have not yet indicated any kind of mental illness defense.
The teen’s alleged motive remains unknown. On October 12, he called 911 to report having just killed his mother while his newborn baby sister slept in her crib nearby.
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Derek Rosa, 13, looked disorientated and confused as he listened to lawyers and the judge at a brief hearing in Miami
The teen’s legal team gathered around him at one point to explain the proceedings
Rosa, 13, is charged with murdering his mother Irina while she was sleeping on October 12
He told the operator that he stabbed his mother in her sleep, and that he was also contemplating suicide but said he ‘didn’t want’ to kill himself.
Today’s hearing was to determine if he should stay in the adult jail where he is currently being held, or if he can return to a juvenile facility.
His attorneys are pushing for the latter.
The judge did not decide on where he should be kept. An evidentiary hearing was scheduled for Friday.
The hearing also heard arguments on whether the teen’s legal team will be allowed to enter the apartment where the murder took place.
The 13-year-old’s mother, Irina Garcia, 39, had just given birth to his younger sister two weeks before. The baby was found lying beside her dead body, unharmed
Rosa’s family say he is a ‘good kid’ and that ‘no one could imagine that this would ever happen’
Derek Rosa allegedly stabbed and killed his mother in her sleep before sending photos of her body to a friend on social media
The apartments where Rosa lived in Hialeh, Florida, before he allegedly stabbed his mom to death
The judge granted the request on the condition that police officers remain outside while they carry out their searches.
It’s unclear exactly what they are looking for, or why they want to gain entry to the home.
The teenager’s stepfather protested as did prosecutors, who pointed out the fact that others had been in the apartment since the crime.
Rosa’s neighbors were stunned by his arrest last month.
They and his family described him as a happy, studious teenager who never displayed any signs of violence.
In a 911 call, Rosa told the dispatcher: ‘She’s dead, Miss. There’s blood all over the floor’