Derek Rosa, 13, accused of killing mom, sits emotionless as dad blows him kiss at first court appearance
The 13-year-old boy accused of stabbing his mother to death inside her Florida home sat emotionless during his first in-person court appearance as his father watched from the gallery and reportedly blew a kiss to the accused killer.
Honor roll student Derek Rosa wore brown prison garb Tuesday and appeared to mostly nod his head while speaking to his legal team weeks after he allegedly knifed his mother, Irene Garcia, 39, in her bed as she slept next to her newborn baby daughter.
Footage of the hearing captured by NBC 6 also showed the teen’s eyes dart across the courtroom during the proceeding.
The Hialeah boy has been charged with first-degree murder and is expected to stand trial as an adult. He allegedly called 911 on Oct. 12 after the stabbing and told the dispatcher that he’d taken photos of his mother and sent them to friends.
While the teen reportedly was calm in the Miami-Dade courtroom, some of his family members in attendance were more emotional.
His father, Jose, waved at his son and blew him a kiss and his grandmother at one point started crying, WSVN reported.
Jose Rosa previously called for his son to get a second chance when his family pleaded not guilty on behalf of the youngster last month.
“I guess what we’re asking for is another opportunity — a second chance — to help him grow and become mature as a grown man to put this behind him,” the father said, according to the station.
Rosa’s defense team successfully argued for permission from the judge to inspect the crime scene during the hearing, with that visit to the apartment to take place Thursday, WPLG reported.
His stepfather also lived in the apartment, but was out of town for work at the time of the killing.
Rosa’s lawyers are also pushing for their client to be moved to a juvenile detention facility instead of being behind bars at Metro West Detention Center, an adult jail.
“We don’t believe that Metro West has the capabilities to house Derek right now,” attorney Dayliset Rielo said, according to the station.
A hearing is scheduled for Friday when a judge could decide if he will stay in the adult facility.
His murder trial is expected to start in the first quarter of next year.
