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A recently released video by the NBC6 network shows the moment when Derek Rosa, the Cuban teenager accused of brutally murdering his mother with a kitchen knife in 2023, is arrested by Hialeah police. The footage dates back to October 12, 2023, when Rosa was 13 years old.
In the body camera footage of the officers, Derek is seen exiting the apartment with his hands raised as the officers point their weapons at him and instruct him to lie on the ground.
"Come here, hands up, on the ground, on the ground!", is heard shouting from the officers.
After being handcuffed, the minor informed them that the knife is in his room and that there is also a baby in the house.
"There is a knife in my room", said Rosa.
"The knife is in the room", shouted an officer.
"It is said that there is another child", was heard from another officer.
"There is a baby", Rosa replied.
"How is the baby? Did you do something to the 'damn' baby?", asked the first officer.
—No, I didn't do anything to the baby —Rosa replied.
The officers found in the room the body of Irina García, her 39-year-old mother, with more than 40 stab wounds, next to the crib of the newborn, who fortunately emerged unharmed.
Rosa was the one who called 911 to confess the crime. According to the arrest report, she committed the murder while her mother was asleep, took photos of the body, and sent them to a friend via social media. She also confessed to what she had done over the phone.
Derek, who wasa an 8th-grade student at iMater Academy, is facing a first-degree murder charge and is being tried as an adult.
He is currently being held without bail at the Metro West Detention Center. An official date for the trial has not yet been set, but the judge handling the case has indicated it could begin in June. The defense has raised the possibility of introducing elements concerning the minor's mental health.
In another video that was circulated, detectives are seen interviewing the accused's grandmother, who testified through tears: "I never saw him with mental problems, he was a normal, intelligent boy... I don’t know what happened. All I know is that I no longer have my daughter."
In March of this year, Univision released an unseen video of Derek Rosa's arrest and transport, where his demeanor can be observed during the three hours following the crime. In the footage, he appears calm, cooperative, and even drowsy while handcuffed in the patrol car. Later, at the police station, he continues to exhibit a calm demeanor throughout the interrogation and data collection process.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Derek Rosa Case and His Arrest
Who is Derek Rosa and why was he arrested?
Derek Rosa is a Cuban teenager accused of fatally stabbing his mother, Irina García, in Hialeah in 2023. The crime occurred while his mother was sleeping, and Derek, then 13 years old, called 911 to confess to the murder. He is currently facing a first-degree murder charge and is being tried as an adult.
What were the circumstances surrounding Derek Rosa's arrest?
The arrest of Derek Rosa was captured on video by a police officer's body camera. The footage shows Derek coming out of the apartment with his hands raised, while the officers aim their weapons at him and order him to lie on the ground. The officers found the body of his mother in the room and an unharmed baby in the crib.
How has Derek Rosa's defense responded to the charges?
Derek Rosa's defense has raised the possibility of introducing elements regarding his mental health in the trial. They allege that Derek may have conditions such as autism and ADHD, and they have requested his transfer to a juvenile detention center, which has been denied by the judge. The defense has also raised more than $140,000 for his legal defense.
What is known about the current status of Derek Rosa's case and trial?
The judicial process against Derek Rosa is ongoing, with the trial scheduled to begin in June. The judge has ordered that all evidence be submitted by May 9 and has denied the defense's request to postpone the trial to include more witnesses. Derek remains incarcerated in an adult jail without the right to bail.
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