The South Miami man who police say killed his wife then posted a photo of her body on Facebook made an unexpected court appearance Friday morning.
Officials said the hearing was called to announce that evidence needed to be preserved in the case of 31-year-old Derek Medina, who is being held without bond on a first-degree murder charge in the death of his 26-year-old wife Jennifer Alfonso.
Sources told NBC 6 that the evidence consisted of pictures that were taken of Medina at the jail shortly after the hearing ended.
VIDEO: Relatives Wear White at Viewing for South Miami Murder Victim
In court a shackled Medina listened as his lawyers asked the judge to allow crime scene technicians to take pictures of him before the evidence – apparently bruising or other indications of abuse – is gone.
“Mr. Dunn from the State of Florida has been kind enough to agree with us in reference to the preservation issue,” Medina’s attorney Saam Zangengh said. “I know that he has members of I believe the crime scene unit here and we’ve come to an agreement that we’ll agree to have the state of Florida memorialize the evidence on behalf of the defense.”
Medina allegedly told police that he killed Alfonso after a domestic dispute. He also made references to his wife physically abusing him in an alleged Facebook confession that stated:
"Im going to prison or death sentence for killing my wife love you guys miss you guys takecare Facebook people you will see me in the news" my wife was punching me and I am not going to stand anymore with the abuse so I did what I did I hope u understand me"
Officials said they discovered Alfonso inside a townhouse on the 5500 block of Southwest 67th Avenue after Medina arrived at the police station and turned himself in.
Alfonso's 10-year-old daughter was home during the murder, officials said. It is still unclear if she witnessed it.
On Friday, Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Yvonne Colodny quickly made arrangements so the pictures of Medina could be taken.
After the hearing his lawyers didn't want to tip their hand about where things were going.
“We’re simply asking the court to allow us to preserve any physical evidence on behalf of Mr. Medina,” Zangengh said. “I’m not going to get into any more details on this point but it’s just something to ensure that all the evidence in this case is preserved properly.”
Medina has pleaded not guilty. His next court date is scheduled for Aug. 29.
Photo Credit: NBC 6 South Florida