Teen Derek Rosa Goes to Trial for the Murder of His Mother
Derek Rosa, the 14-year-old Hialeah teenager who was 13 when he called 911 and confessed to stabbing his mother, 39-year-old Irina García, to death with a kitchen knife, is currently in a county jail awaiting trial. Rosa will be tried as an adult more than a year after the alleged crime took place on October 12, 2023. For the past year, the teen has been in the Metrowest Detention Center, where he spends long hours alone, away from his family and supporters who are fighting for his freedom.
Lawyer’s Statement
Rosa’s lawyer, Dayliset Rielo, said: "This is quite delicate; it is a very strong, extremely sad case involving a child accused of first-degree murder against his own mother. We are working very hard on this case and are urging the prosecution to do the same, moving as quickly as possible to bring it to an end."
The Case Gathers International Attention
Rosa’s case has garnered so much attention not only for his young age, but also for the evidence that authorities say prove his guilt, including recorded confessions and video surveillance captured on a baby monitor. And yet, groups from all over the world have sent messages of support to Rosa’s team. Some even believe he’s innocent.
Upcoming Court Date
Rosa’s next day in court is scheduled for January 2025.
The Murder Retrial of Rapper YNW Melly
South Florida rapper YNW Melly is going to court again for the shooting deaths of his friends in 2018, after his first murder trial ended in a hung jury and thus a mistrial in July 2023. Melly, whose real name is Jamell Demons, is part of a music collective that included his two childhood friends who rapped under the names YNW Juvy and YNW SakChaser.
The Case Against Melly
Melly is accused of killing them both after a late-night recording session and making it look like a drive-by shooting. He’s been in custody since his arrest in February 2019. His case first garnered attention for the traitorous storyline recounted in court, his antics, and also for his rising success: his biggest hit was called "Murder on my Mind" and he boasted a track featuring Kanye West.
Mistrial and Upcoming Court Date
The only reason Melly’s going to court at all in 2025 is because after a year-long trial followed closely by the public, a jury could not agree on his guilt or innocence. A Broward County judge declared a mistrial in 2023, and the rapper has spent all of 2024 tied up in judicial proceedings – during which, his attorneys have sought his release and accused the Broward Sheriff’s Office of "cruel" treatment in prison and violating his constitutional rights. His next court date is in March 2025.
Cuban Reggaeton Star El Taiger’s Alleged Murderer Goes to Trial
The shooting of José Manuel Carbajal Zaldívar, better known as El Taiger, sent shockwaves throughout South Florida’s Cuban community and beyond when the reggaeton star was found fighting for his life inside the back of an SUV abandoned outside Miami’s Jackson Memorial Hospital. When the public learned about his extremely critical condition, fans and musicians alike, including the popular duo Gente de Zona, showed up at the hospital to pray, grieve, and even dance to try to lift El Taiger’s spirits.
The Shooting and the Suspect
The singer died seven days later, on October 10. It was nearly a month before a Hialeah man, 49-year-old Damian Valdez-Galloso, wanted for questioning in his death, was detained in New York City. Now, Valdez-Galloso is facing a charge of second-degree murder – and the state announced its intent in November to upgrade that charge, and accuse him of first-degree murder.
Surveillance Video
One of the reasons for that, and for the heightened attention on the case, is the shocking surveillance video that police say caught it all: El Taiger being shot in the head in cold blood, dragged across a yard, and, allegedly, Valdez-Galloso trying to clean it up. The reason for the shooting is also not known. Fans of the reggaeton star may find themselves searching for answers in the criminal trial, though it likely won’t ease the frustration over a talented life cut short.
Upcoming Court Date
Valdez-Galloso’s next date in court is scheduled for the end of January 2025.
Conclusion
These are some of the biggest trials expected to begin in 2025, leaving the public with more questions than answers. As the cases unfold, families and communities will be seeking justice, and the public will be searching for a sense of closure.
FAQs
Q: What is the current status of Derek Rosa’s case?
A: Rosa is awaiting trial in a county jail.
Q: What is the current status of YNW Melly’s case?
A: Melly’s case is on appeal after a mistrial in 2023.
Q: What is the current status of El Taiger’s alleged murderer, Damian Valdez-Galloso?
A: Valdez-Galloso is facing charges of second-degree murder, with a potential upgrade to first-degree murder.
