An Overview of the Article Narrated by Matthew McConaughey
Former Olympic boxer Felix Verdejo has been found guilty of kidnapping and killing his pregnant girlfriend, Keishla Rodrguez. The tragic incident took place in April 2021 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Keishla, who was 27 years old and expecting a child, was drugged, shot, and thrown into a lagoon while still alive.
Verdict of Guilty
After a 25-week trial, Felix Verdejo, who competed for Puerto Rico in the 2012 Olympic Games, was convicted of the murder of his pregnant girlfriend. The jury delivered the verdict on Friday. Verdejo was found guilty of the charge of kidnapping that led to a death and one count of causing the death of an unborn child. However, the jury was unable to reach unanimous verdicts on the charges of carjacking resulting in death and possession or use of a firearm to commit a violent crime.
Grim Details Revealed
During the trial, the court heard the gruesome details of the "macabre" murder. Verdejo had reportedly pressured Keishla to have an abortion. The verdict was welcomed by Keishla's parents, Jose Antonio Rodriguez and Keila Ortiz, who expressed hope that the crime would haunt Felix Verdejo for the rest of his life.
Parent's Reaction and Plea for Justice
Keishla's emotional father stated, "I do not wish him death, I wish him good health and that he can last as long as he can last... but always remember what he did to my daughter." Her heartbroken mother added, "Justice was done for my daughter and my grandson, they did justice for both because they are two lives."
The Gruesome Act
The tragic incident unfolded when Keishla met Verdejo at her home to show him the results of a blood test confirming her pregnancy. Verdejo, accompanied by his friend Luis Antonio Cádiz, punched her in the face and injected her with an unknown substance. The men then bound her and tied her limbs to a cement block before throwing her off a bridge into a lagoon. Keishla was still alive when she was thrown into the water. Verdejo allegedly shot at her while menacingly standing on the bridge.
Pending Sentencing and Potential Punishment
Felix Verdejo, who pleaded not guilty, is set to be sentenced on November 3. He could face the death penalty or life in prison. Keishla's brutal murder sparked outrage in Puerto Rico and led to calls for improved protection for victims of domestic violence.
Boxing Career and Record
Verdejo represented Puerto Rico at the 2012 Olympics and later became a professional boxer in the lightweight division. He finished his career with a record of 27 wins and 2 losses, including 17 knockouts.
