A man accused of shooting his wife and then posting a photo of her body on Facebook pleaded not guilty at a court hearing in Miami. 31-year-old Derek Medina was formally charged with second-degree murder three weeks after the death of his wife, Jennifer Alfonso.
Medina wrote to his “friends” on Facebook, “I’m going to prison or death sentence for killing my wife. Love you guys, Miss you guys … My wife was punching me, and I am not going to stand any more with the abuse so I did what I did. I hope u understand me.” His alleged confession included a photo of his 26-year-old’s wife’s bloodied body on the kitchen floor.
Miami-Dade Police Department confirmed the authenticity of Medina’s Facebook posting. Medina is the author of six online books on topics that include marriage counselling.
His arrest affidavit said that he confessed to shooting Alfonso multiple times after a dispute turned violent when she began kicking him and punching him. Alfonso had said she was leaving him, Medina said.
He also told police that Alfonso had armed herself with a knife during their argument, but he said that was after he had gone to his bedroom for a gun.
According to police, there was 10-year-old child present in the home at the time of Medina’s wife’s death. She was seen by neighbours leaving the home, escorted by police, covered in a blanket
According to the affidavit, after Medina knew that Alfonso was dead, he changed his clothes and went to his parents, then turned himself in to police.
He could face a life sentence if convicted and prosecutors may seek a first-degree murder charge when a grand jury meets next month.
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