A 13-year-old teenager who confessed to stabbing his mother to death inside their Hialeah apartment was back in court Thursday for a hearing.
Derek Rosa sat in a Brown jail jumpsuit during the hearing, where his attorneys said they were not ready to go to trial, claiming they still needed evidence from the state attorney’s office.
They blame the prosecution and claim they lack evidence, such as some eyewitness accounts. Also baby monitor images from the day of the murder.
Meanwhile, prosecutors said they were ready for trial. The judge said the defense could present its case with more time in the next hearing, which is scheduled for February 20.
Derek’s attorneys declined to comment after the hearing, but we spoke with a criminal defense attorney not related to the case.
“The defense seeks an order from the judge that compels the prosecution to release the missing evidence or by a certain date that excludes all evidence in the case,” says criminal lawyer Alberto Quirantes.
The judge has scheduled a hearing for next Tuesday the 20th. Then, defense attorneys can try to prove their allegations of missing evidence. The tentative trial date is February 26.
According to police, Derek Rosa stabbed his 39-year-old mother more than 40 times.
Derek Rosa faces a manslaughter charge in the Oct. 12 death of his mother, 39-year-old Irina Garcia. He is being charged as an adult.
According to the police report, that same night, October 12, 2023, Derek Rosa made a 911 call confessing to killing his mother. In the recording, he is heard holding the phone and giving details about the location of his apartment. Ten minutes later, he remains in conversation with the operator, expressing concern about the presence of officers and asking if he should leave his home.
Once at the police station, Derek Rosa confessed to the crime.
However, the motive behind why a 13-year-old teenager stabbed his mother 46 times while she slept remains a shocking mystery.
Derek Rosa’s lawyer, Delysette Riello, emphasizes the responsibility of both the judicial system and the defense in the case. Rosa lives in an adult facility, where her education and medical care are constantly reviewed.
The case, which has shocked the community, continues to unfold as investigators and prosecutors work to uncover the truth behind the tragedy.
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