MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Florida – A judge in Miami-Dade County is expected to decide Friday whether Derek Rosa, 13, accused of killing his mother Irina Garcia, 39, in October, will be sent back to the juvenile detention center.
Rosa's attorneys called six witnesses Thursday to present her case and how her rights are being violated by her detention at the Metro West Adult Detention Center.
One of those witnesses was Detective Joseph Elosegui of the Hialeah Police Department's Major Crimes Unit, who testified Thursday that García had 46 stab wounds all over his body and that the only parts of his body that did not show sharp weapon injuries were behind his knees.
Elosequi also testified that further investigation revealed that Rosa conducted six Google searches on the night of her mother's death. These searches included:
“The image diagram of the carotid artery.”
“Where’s the best place to stab someone?”
“Is a small knife good for killing?”
“Is it easier to kill someone with a small knife?”
“Can a knife cut bone?”
The final search was to ask for a machine gun.
Investigators also said Rosa told police in a confession that he called his mother a “maricona,” a derogatory term in Spanish for a gay woman, just before he stabbed her.
Corporal Cyrim Wimbs, a correctional officer at the Metro West Detention Center, said Rosa was in protective custody and was “doing better.”
The correctional facility said it is constantly monitoring Rosa because he is considered a high-profile inmate. The teenager is held alone in a cell with a frosted glass window and no direct view of the outside.
In court Thursday, Wimbs testified that Rosa can speak to her family regularly and has minimal interaction with an inmate. He also said that Rosa was allowed to play basketball and soccer with the other inmate.
He also said Rosa is constantly monitored by mental health specialists who are on the lookout for warning signs.
Gina Bettica, a psychologist with Jackson Health System Correctional Health Services, said Rosa has ADHD and was tested for the autism spectrum by another doctor. He also stated that Rosa was suicidal when he was first arrested.
Last week, the Miami-Dade District Attorney's Office released Crime scene photos in connection with the case.
Several photos were released showing the murder weapon – a knife with the tip cut off – along with surveillance images showing the victim Garcia holding her newborn daughter and also her son, who later stands next to her.
Rosa is accused he fatally stabs his mother while sleeping next to his 14-day-old stepsister on October 12th.
He pleaded not guilty after a grand jury indicted him Honor Roll Student one count of first-degree murder.
The police said that Rosa called 911 shortly after 11:30 p.m. the night of the murder to report that he had just murdered his mother in her apartment at 211 W. 79th Place. An arrest report states that officers found Garcia lying on the ground with multiple stab wounds to his neck.
Rosa told a 911 dispatcher that she sent photos from the crime scene to an online friend and said goodbye to him.
A crime scene photo released by prosecutors shows Rosa sticking her tongue out, and she is said to have sent it to a friend after the murder.
Police have not yet publicly revealed a motive for the murder.
He is currently being held without bail at the Metro West Detention Center.
He is represented by attorney José Báez, whose previous high-profile clients include Casey Anthony, Aaron Hernandez and Harvey Weinstein.
4 p.m. live report.
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