[CW: The following story includes graphic description of a murder of a woman and an unborn child]
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Felix Verdejo found guilty
On Friday a jury found Felix Verdejo, 30, guilty of kidnapping resulting in death and the intentional killing of an unborn child (per a press release from the US Attorney’s Office for Puerto Rico). Luis Antonio Cadiz-Martinez was found guilty of aiding and abetting Verdejo.
Verdejo and Cadiz-Martinez abducted Keishla Rodriguez Ortiz on April 29, 2021 after she was lured into a Dodge Durango in San Jose, PR. Once she was inside the car Verdejo attacked her and injected her with drugs. She was then tied, with metal wire, to a cement block and thrown from the Teodoro Moscoso Bridge into the San Jose Lagoon.
Rodriguez Ortiz had been involved in an extra-martial affair with Verdejo. It is believed that she was pregnant with his child at the time of the killing.
Verdejo is now eligible to be sentenced to to multiple 99 year prison terms. There is no death penalty in Puerto Rico. Cadiz-Martinez may receive up to 30 years in prison. However, his sentence will likely be reduced after he agreed to testify against Verdejo. Verdejo and Cadiz-Martinez are due to be sentenced on November 3.
Verdejo’s boxing career
Felix Verdejo represented Puerto Rico at the 2012 Olympics. In his pro career he amassed a 27-2 record and held the WBO Latino lightweight title. His last fight was on December 12, 2020, when he was defeated by Masayoshi Nakatani via TKO.
Support for survivors of domestic violence can be found from the following organizations:
USA – The National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
Canada – DAWN-RAFH Canada
UK and Ireland – Women’s Aid: 0808-2000-247
Rest of the World – HotPeachPages
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