Felix Verdejo Pleads Not Guilty- Still Denied Bond

Tuesday Morning brought the latest court appearance for Lightweight contending fighter, Felix Verdejo in Puerto Rico on capital felony charges of kidnapping and murder of his girlfriend last month.

And not surprisingly, the fighter plead not guilty on all counts and the Federal Magistrate overseeing his case denied him bail, once again.

El Nuevo Dia newspaper had more on the hearing for the 27-year-old fighting star,

El boxeador, quien compareció de manera virtual a una vista en el Tribunal federal, enfrenta cuatro cargos relacionados con el crimen https://t.co/8ujIK0OKQ6

— El Nuevo Día (@ElNuevoDia) May 11, 2021

Verdejo appeared just after 11 a.m. San Juan time on a virtual feed from the Guaynabo Detention Center where he has been held since Sunday, May 2nd on the charges of killing 27-year-old Keishla Rodriguez Ortiz.

Verdejo listened to Magistrate, Camile Velez Revi’, when she asked him whether he had read and understood the charges against him? He answered quietly, “yes.”

She further asked him whether he agreed with his court-appointed death penalty defense lawyers that have been assigned to his case? He also answered in the affirmative.

Verdejo’s lawyers made no argument for bail and the U.S. federal prosecutor in the case then said to the judge that Verdejo should still be held without bond..

The magistrate agreed, according to El Nuevo Dia, saying,

“Because it is a case of presumption (of risk) and no evidence has been presented (in his favor), the presumption that Mr. Verdejo is a danger to the community and a risk of flight has not been refuted.”

Verdejo’s accomplice in the alleged crimes is Luis Cadiz Martinez and he is also appearing later Tuesday virtually to enter a formal plea and will likely also be denied bond. Cadiz Martinez has been cooperating with the investigation.

As we wrote last week, the Grand jury in Puerto Rico had indicted both Verdejo and Cadiz Martinez on the charges.

The U.S. Attorney’s office in Puerto Rico laid out the charges that were brought before the grand jury that Verdejo conspired to kidnap Rodriguez Ortiz, horrifically inject her with drugs to try to force her to have an abortion before violently punching and strangling her. And, then, along with Cadiz Martinez disposing of her body off of a bridge near Carolina, Puerto Rico Thursday morning April 29th.

The former lawyer for Cadiz Martinez, Edwin Prado, told El Vocero newspaper that his client had been cooperating since Friday, April 30th with investigators, including the FBI, to help with testimony and evidence to find Rodriguez Ortiz’s body.

“He (Cádiz Martínez) asked me a question last Friday and based on the conversation he gave me specific instructions… we talked and decided to take a course. I was the common thread with the federal government. I told the feds that I had a person who was willing to say everything that had happened, “said the lawyer. 

Verdejo refused to cooperate with investigators on Thursday or Friday two weeks ago, while the frantic search was on for Rodriguez Ortiz.

Her body was found Saturday May 1st in the lagoon near Carolina.

Cadiz Martinez, who is a car washer and detailer by trade, apparently became acquainted with Verdejo through washing his vehicles. And, he has told authorities that he was asked earlier two weeks ago by the fighter to assist him with his situation with Rodriguez Ortiz and her coming to meet Verdejo on Thursday April 29th.

San Juan investigators went to Verdejo’s home Saturday night May 1st and impounded his Dodge Durango SUV for further analysis and investigation into Rodriguez Ortiz’s death. The bridge video reportedly shows the Durango SUV on the bridge, leave and then, come back twice over a 30 minute period on that Thursday morning. Cadiz Martinez alleged to authorities that Verdejo actually shot at Rodriguez Ortiz’s body in the lagoon from the bridge.

El Vocero further reported authorities have found a shell casing of a bullet on the bridge and allegedly found blood potentially from the victim on the bridge that was processed, as well.

Cadiz Martinez is alleged in the indictment to have driven Rodriguez Ortiz’s vehicle and dumped it in a remote area away from Verdejo’s home area.

While grand jury proceedings are held in secret, it is believed that Cadiz Martinez was testifying about his own involvement, but more importantly, the actions of Verdejo.

That was probably done in exchange for some kind of future plea agreement to lessen his charges, in exchange for him also testifying against Verdejo in the future. Rodriguez Ortiz’s father told the media earlier this week that he doesn’t want the death penalty for the accused, but rather for them to spend the rest of their lives in prison for what they are alleged to have done.