2023-06-20 15:17:55
The process to prosecute former boxer Félix Verdejo for the death of Keishla Rodríguez Ortiz in 2021 officially began with the purging of potential jurors.
16 photosThe former boxer is suspected of murdering the young pregnant Keishla Rodríguez, whom he had known since he was a child and with whom he had a romantic relationship.
In total, 18 individuals will be chosen, divided into 12 jurors and six alternates. Groups of 60 people will be in the room simultaneously before federal judge Pedro Delgado Hernández to answer the corresponding questions. In total they established three panels of 60 candidates.
Verdejo entered the room dressed in black, with a calm face while talking with his legal representatives Jason González Delgado and Gabriela José Cintrón-Colón. During the first hearing, Verdejo’s family members were in the room. They occupied two benches, according to the press officer of the Federal Court for the District of Puerto Rico.
However, the victim’s relatives did not do the same. José Antonio Rodríguez, Keishla’s father, remained in another room watching the proceedings from a monitor.
Before they ordered the entry of the first group of candidates for the jury, González Delgado made two requests. The first was that Verdejo was supplied with the same lunches intended for the jury. The judge agreed.
The second was that the litigation was transferred to another jurisdiction due to “excess publicity” in the traditional media. González Delgado highlighted that in the previous days, several television channels dedicated special programs recalling the history of the case. The lawyer presented several ‘stills’ with images of the Police officers while they were searching the San José lagoon for the body of Rodríguez Ortiz.
After hearing the arguments, Judge Delgado Hernández denied the petition.
“Mr. Verdejo does not appear in any of the images,” he said. “The request has not been accepted.” Despite the fact that González Delgado insisted, the magistrate declared the controversy over.
The judge proceeded to read instructions that included not reading newspapers, electronic media, or radio and television news. Neither may they discuss the evidence that will be presented or the testimonies of the experts and witnesses with other people.
Delgado Hernández read out the names of the witnesses who will potentially be called to the stand during the trial.
Among those he mentioned are Luis Cádiz Martínez, an alleged accomplice of Verdejo who pleaded guilty and is the main cooperator of the Public Ministry. He also pronounced Keila Ortiz and Bereliz Nicole Rodríguez, mother and sister, respectively, of the victim.
In May 2021, he was indicted on one count of auto theft resulting in death; another kidnapping resulting in death; and one count of killing an unborn child. In addition, he is facing another charge of using and carrying a firearm during and in connection with a crime of violence.
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