ST. THOMAS — Trial got underway Monday morning for Enrique Saldana who is accused of murdering his wife almost three years ago.
The 53-year-old former police captain is charged with one count each of first-degree murder, seconddegree murder, first-degree assault, second-degree assault and three counts of third-degree assault, all crimes of domestic violence, in connection with the May 2014 death of his wife, Jeanette Saldana, 43.
Prosecutors will be relying on the testimony of a number of witnesses to help them prove that on May 2, 2014, Mr. Saldana showed up at his wife’s house and they began arguing. Then, he debilitated her so that she couldn’t fight back and then killed her.
Later, Mr. Saldana called 911 to report that his girlfriend wasn’t breathing and that he needed assistance to go to the hospital; he was in the area of Food Center at the time. An off-duty police officer, Cpl. Bernard Burke who heard the transmission, met Mr. Saldana at the hospital and helped him remove Jeanette Magras-Saldana from the jeep Mr. Saldana was driving.
“I had a hard time lifting her,” Cpl. Burke testified at the start of the trial. “To me, I was lifting dead weight.”
The nine men and six women empaneled to hear the case also heard the testimonies of six other witnesses, including crime scene technicians and medical personnel.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorneys General Ednin Martinez, Nadja Harrigan and Quincy McRae.
V.I. Superior Court Judge Michael Dunston is presiding over the trial.
Feature Image: Jeanette Saldana.
Tags: Enrique Saldana, former police captain, Jeanette Saldana, murdered, wife
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