UNITED STATES NEWS

Murder victim’s dad lunges at suspect in court

Mar 7, 2012, 1:58 PM

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) – A murder victim’s father and stepfather lunged at the man accused of killing her during his arraignment in a Massachusetts courtroom and were charged with disrupting court proceedings.

Edwin Rojas and Kenneth Soto pleaded not guilty to the charges on Tuesday. Rojas is also facing assault and battery charges for allegedly punching the suspect in the face.

The two men had to be subdued by court officers on Monday during the arraignment of Jose Santiago, Jessica Rojas’ on-and-off boyfriend who’s accused of killing her in front of witnesses.

Rojas is the father of Jessica Rojas, who was stabbed to death in her apartment early Saturday morning, just hours after celebrating her 25th birthday. Soto is her stepfather.

Santiago was held without bail after pleading not guilty.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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Murder victim’s dad lunges at suspect in court