BoxingTalk Story |
By Scott Shaffer
11/05/2021
A brief hearing was held in Puerto Rico on Tuesday for Felix Verdejo, the former Puerto Rican Olympic boxer who stands accused of carjacking and kidnapping resulting in death, crimes punishable by the death penalty. Present on Verdejo's behalf were three attorneys. Verdejo, in custody for eight days now, was present by video and assisted by a court interpreter. He had waived his right to appear physically at the hearing and consented to proceed via video. Verdejo was found competent to understand the proceedings. He waived the reading of the indictment and entered a plea of not guilty as to all counts. The Government was given seven days to produce certain evidence and the defense has 14 days thereafter to file motions against such evidence being admitted at trial. The case was referred to U.S. District Judge Pedro A. Delgado for further proceedings. The Government moved to keep Verdejo in detention pending trial. After hearing the parties, the court ordered Verdejo to remain in detention pending further proceedings. Included in the court's reasoning for keeping Verdejo detained were findings that the "weight of evidence against the defendant is strong" and that Verdejo is "subject to lengthy period of incarceration if convicted."
May 3rd update: Félix Verdejo surrendered to federal authorities in connection with the death of Keishla Rodríguez Ortiz. This development occurred shortly after an arrest warrant was issued against him. The FBI accused the former Puerto Rican Olympian of carjacking and kidnapping resulting in death, crimes that are eligible for the death penalty. Verdejo was also charged with intentionally killing an unborn child (Ortiz was pregnant, possibly by Verdejo, who is married to someone else). The New York Times spoke with the victim's mother, who said her daughter and Verdejo were involved in an affair that resulted in her pregnancy.