The Hialeah teenager accused of brutally stabbing his mother to death in 2023 was possibly driven by a fascination with violence, the horror movie “Friday the 13th,” and disturbing online videos depicting real-life gore, prosecutors said in a new court filing.
Derek Rosa, who was 13 at the time of the killing, was indicted for first-degree murder after allegedly stabbing his mother, Irina Garcia, 46 times while she slept in her bedroom on the night of October 12, 2023, just an hour before the start of Friday the 13th.
In the new court filing, prosecutors are asking a Miami-Dade judge to allow several pieces of evidence to be introduced at Rosa’s upcoming trial, which could begin in early 2026.
Derek Rosa is accused of killing his mother, Irina Garcia, on Oct. 12, 2023.
Prosecutors said the materials reveal Rosa’s mindset and possible motive in the hours and days leading up to the murder.
According to the filing, Rosa photographed his mother’s body, took a selfie with his blood-covered hand, and sent the images to a friend, allegedly admitting to the killing. Moments later, he called 911 and confessed again, describing in detail how he stabbed his mother in the neck and chest.
‘I’m Doing Jason’
The new court filing states Rosa was allegedly asking his friends for scary Halloween costume ideas. Rosa allegedly stated, “I’m doing Jason,” from the horror movie “Friday the 13th” which features Jason Voorhees a fictional character who typically uses a machete to kill his victims.
Prosecutors allege Rosa wanted to be Jason and that his mother’s killing happened an hour before midnight on Friday the 13th.
Miami-Dade Corrections
Miami-Dade Corrections
Derek Rosa
Google Searches
Prosecutors also hope to introduce evidence from Rosa’s cell phone where he allegedly searched on Google the following terms hours leading up to the homicide:
“Where is the best place to stab someone”
“The carotid artery”
“Is a small knife good for killing”
“Can a knife cut through bone”
Fascinated with Gore
The filing further alleges Rosa shared a graphic suicide video multiple times, showing the death of a U.S. Army reservist named Ronnie McNutt, with friends and his girlfriend both before and on the day of the murder. Witnesses said Rosa laughed at the footage and described it as “funny.”
Prosecutors claim this pattern shows Rosa’s “morbid fascination with blood, death, and gore,” and that he took pleasure in shocking others with violent imagery.
Doorbell camera video shows Derek Rosa and Irina Garcia in their Hialeah apartment the night police say he stabbed her to death.
Rosa’s Defense
Rosa has pleaded not guilty.
His defense attorneys have suggested that Rosa’s stepfather, Frank Ramos, could be an alternative suspect, though prosecutors said Wednesday that there is ample evidence showing Ramos was in Georgia at the time of the killing.
Assistant State Attorney Jonathan D. Borst told the court that the evidence “connects a possible motive for the killing itself.”
A hearing on the pending motions is scheduled for later this month.