A teen accused of stabbing his mother to death in 2023 calmly confessed to the killing, a Hialeah police detective recalled in court on Monday.
Detective Joseph Elosegui detailed his interaction with Derek Rosa, now 15 — including how the boy described the brutal ambush of his mother in a nonchalant, matter-of-fact manner.
That confession, Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Richard Hersch ruled on Tuesday, can be played for a jury during the trial, scheduled to start on Jan. 20. Derek, who was wearing brown jail attire while in court, had his head down and stared at the floor as the judge spoke.
Also on Tuesday, prosecutors and Derek’s defense team said they are trying to reach a plea agreement before trial.
On Oct. 12, 2023, then-13-year-old Derek murdered his mother, Irina Garcia, 39, by stabbing her 46 times with a kitchen knife as she slept, while his 2-week-old sister was nearby in her crib, police and prosecutors say. While Derek confessed to the slaying, his case has received national attention due to a vocal community of supporters who believe he is innocent.
Staunch supporters of Derek Rosa appear in court during his hearing. Rosa, 15, is accused of stabbing his mother Irina Garcia to death in Hialeah back in 2023. Derick was 13 at the time of the killing and appeared in Courtroom 4-8 with Judge Richard Hersch presiding during his hearing on Monday, January 5th, 2025, in Miami, Florida.
About two dozen supporters filled the courtroom Monday and Tuesday, most wearing white T-shirts with Derek’s name and photo on them. At times, several supporters prayed for the teen.
In December, prosecutors hinted at Derek’s possible motive: that the boy killed his mother to share photos of her dead with his friends due to his fascination with blood and gore.
READ MORE: Possible motive of Hialeah teen accused of stabbing mother? Fascination with gore
Prosecutor Jonathan Borst previously said he seeks to introduce the evidence to show jurors Derek’s fascination with blood and gore, although attorney Dayliset Rielo argued the evidence should be excluded because it was irrelevant. Later on the day of the murder, Derek made several Internet searches about killing, including “Where is the best place to stab someone,” “The carotid artery” and “Can a knife cut through bone,” according to prosecutors.
Derek Rosa, 15, who is accused of stabbing his mother Irina Garcia to death in Hialeah back in 2023, appears in court for his hearing. Derick was 13 at the time of the killing and appeared in Courtroom 4-8 with Judge Richard Hersch presiding during his hearing on Monday, January 5th, 2025, in Miami, Florida.
A chilling confession
During Monday’s hearing, prosecutors played 911 calls and snippets of Derek’s interview with police. In the videos, the teen recounted with significant detail the events leading up to — and following — the killing. Derek told detectives he called an online friend to tell him he had stabbed his mother, also sending the friend pictures of his mother’s body.
In the video, Derek said he first “cut her” in the neck and stabbed where “a lot of blood sprays out.” Derek covered his ears when the confession was played in court.
He had “no emotion for someone who butchered his mother,” Elosegui said.
On the witness stand, Elosegui defended the investigation, adding that he made sure Derek understood his rights. Investigators, the detective said, didn’t have to confront Derek with evidence because Derek wasn’t hesitant to talk and immediately began divulging details about the murder.
Borst argued that Derek knowingly waived his rights when he agreed to speak with police.
Derek Rosa, 15, center, who is accused of stabbing his mother Irina Garcia to death in Hialeah back in 2023, appears in court for his hearing. Derick was 13 at the time of the killing and appeared in Courtroom 4-8 with Judge Richard Hersch presiding during his hearing on Monday, January 5th, 2025, in Miami, Florida.
But Rielo, one of Derek’s attorneys, argued that the boy’s statements to police should not be included in a trial due to his lack of maturity.
Before police questioned Derek, he asked, “What is an attorney?” He also said he didn’t know his own address or phone number and struggled to read the word “coercion” while waiving his right to remain silent. The lead detective, however, testified that he explained to the then-middle schooler what “coercion” and “attorney” meant.
Rielo also said police should have allowed Derek to have a parental figure present while he was questioned.
Derek Rosa, 15, who is accused of stabbing his mother Irina Garcia to death in Hialeah back in 2023, appears in court for his hearing. Derick was 13 at the time of the killing and appeared in Courtroom 4-8 with Judge Richard Hersch presiding during his hearing on Monday, January 5th, 2025, in Miami, Florida.