By Alicia Cruz
The Black Urban Times
A 40-year old man, fresh out of jail on a domestic violence charge, pleaded not guilty today at his arraignment in the Bronx for the stabbing death of a 17-year-old girl who was a friend of his girlfriend. Luzbenet Ramirez, who was set to graduate from High School in seven months, had been staying with Rosanna Castro, the girlfriend of the suspect, at her Southern Boulevard apartment in Longwood since having an argument with her mom. Police say Ramirez was stabbed multiple times by Jose Mendez, who then wrapped her in plastic and stuffed her body in a closet, The NY Post reported. His girlfriend allegedly found the body and summoned a neighbor, Renee Mosher, who told NY1, "She told me to come with her to the bag, and it looked like [the body]. It was plastic, but you could see the back, because the back didn't have plastic. And she ran out and left me in there. It stank so bad, like it was decomposing." At his arraigment today, Mendez was charged with murder, manslaughter and possession of weapons. According to Police, Mendez, who was recently released from jail for beating Castro, confessed to the killing, saying he thought Ramirez and Castro were involved in a relationship. While Police Commissioner Ray Kelly did say Mendez made statements implicating himself in the murder, he would not comment on a possible love triangle. "We're still attempting to get all the facts. They're still developing,” said the police commissioner. “But the person who was arrested did make statements implicating himself." NY1 reported that an unidentified woman described Ramirez as a good student, and said the teen was not the type to "hang out on the street." "She was a very good kid," the woman said.
A 40-year old man, fresh out of jail on a domestic violence charge, pleaded not guilty today at his arraignment in the Bronx for the stabbing death of a 17-year-old girl who was a friend of his girlfriend. Luzbenet Ramirez, who was set to graduate from High School in seven months, had been staying with Rosanna Castro, the girlfriend of the suspect, at her Southern Boulevard apartment in Longwood since having an argument with her mom. Police say Ramirez was stabbed multiple times by Jose Mendez, who then wrapped her in plastic and stuffed her body in a closet, The NY Post reported. His girlfriend allegedly found the body and summoned a neighbor, Renee Mosher, who told NY1, "She told me to come with her to the bag, and it looked like [the body]. It was plastic, but you could see the back, because the back didn't have plastic. And she ran out and left me in there. It stank so bad, like it was decomposing." At his arraigment today, Mendez was charged with murder, manslaughter and possession of weapons. According to Police, Mendez, who was recently released from jail for beating Castro, confessed to the killing, saying he thought Ramirez and Castro were involved in a relationship. While Police Commissioner Ray Kelly did say Mendez made statements implicating himself in the murder, he would not comment on a possible love triangle. "We're still attempting to get all the facts. They're still developing,” said the police commissioner. “But the person who was arrested did make statements implicating himself." NY1 reported that an unidentified woman described Ramirez as a good student, and said the teen was not the type to "hang out on the street." "She was a very good kid," the woman said.
No comments:
Post a Comment
We appreciates all comments and fosters free speech, however, keep in mind that we have young readers who peruse our site. Having said that, please refrain from using profane language, and know that flaming will not be tolerated. Spam will not be tolerated.