Left inset: Marvin Jean-Pierre (Broward County Sheriff’s Office). Right inset: Jose Mondelus (Fred Hunter’s Funeral Home & Fred Hunter’s Hollywood Memorial Gardens). Background: Evidence being shown during Marvin Jean-Pierre’s murder trial (WTVJ).
A Florida man was found guilty of murder following a violent incident involving his roommate, which included hurling an iron at him and using a plastic bag to suffocate him. Afterward, he wrapped the victim’s body in a carpet, tied his feet with a necktie, and concealed him in a closet with the bag over his head, where police later discovered him.
Marvin Jean-Pierre, 26, received a life sentence following his conviction for the first-degree murder of 52-year-old Jose Mondelus in the Miramar apartment they shared, as reported by local NBC affiliate WTVJ.
The trial of Jean-Pierre featured photos and body camera footage showing the crime scene, including video capturing the moment police discovered Mondelus’ body during a January 2021 search of their apartment. Additional evidence, such as the carpet and neckties, was presented in court, according to WTVJ.
“The cause of death was asphyxia due to manual strangulation and plastic bag suffocation,” a local medical examiner testified.
Prosecutors revealed that Jean-Pierre had moved in with Mondelus, a family friend, after being expelled from his home by his mother for marijuana use, noted WTVJ. He was 22 at that time.
“He told police, ‘Oh, I got in a fight with my roommate. My roommate was gay and was coming on to me. He rubbed me inappropriately, and I had no choice, so I threw an iron at his head and kicked him a few times,'” Broward State Attorney’s Office assistant state attorney Taylor Collins claimed during opening statements.
“In the middle of the night, Marvin wakes up to Jose touching him,” said Jean-Pierre’s defense attorney, Gabe Ermine, according to WTVJ. “Marvin felt that he was being rubbed in a sexual manner,” the lawyer proclaimed. “Marvin acted in self-defense.”
Mondelus’ sister had reported him missing on Jan. 1, 2021, after not hearing from him since Dec. 29, 2020. His body was found the same day she made the report.
Jurors convicted Jean-Pierre on Monday for the slaying. He now has 30 days to appeal his life sentence.
