Derek Rosa returns for 2nd day of hearing; defense asks court to toss alleged confession

A Hialeah teen accused of brutally stabbing his mother to death more than two years ago was back in court Tuesday for the second day of a hearing before his trial is expected to start later this month.

Derek Rosa faces a first-degree murder charge in the killing of his mother, Irina Garcia, who was found slain at the family’s apartment.

Rosa, now 15, was just 13 when he was arrested in the murder of his mother, who police said was stabbed over 40 times on Oct. 12, 2023.

At Monday’s hearing, Rosa’s attorneys were asking the judge to block the teen’s confession from being used as evidence at trial.

Rosa covered his ears as the confession was played in court in which he described grabbing a purple knife and targeting his mother near an artery.

In the video, he said she screamed as he killed her and then he took pictures of her body and sent them to an online friend.

Prosecutors want to use the confession to secure a guilty verdict in the trial, and believe Rosa was possibly driven by a fascination with violence, including horror movies and disturbing online videos.

Rosa’s attorneys are urging the judge to block the interrogation from the trial, saying the teen didn’t knowingly or intelligently waive his right to remain silent.

The defense said Rosa lacked maturity and understanding, and at times appeared confused by legal terminology used by investigators.

Much of Monday’s hearing featured questioning of Hialeah Police’s lead detective on the case about the interrogation.

Several other motions are also pending, including Rosa’s request to delay the start of the trial.