According to El Nuevo Dia, former Olympic boxer Felix Verdejo has been convicted of murder in Puerto Rico. A guilty verdict on charges related to the murder of Keishla Rodríguez Ortiz, while she was pregnant with Verdejo's child, puts an end to the boxer's career. Verdejo was under contract with Top Rank, who projected early in his career that Verdejo could be the next big Puerto Rican boxing star to follow in the footsteps of Tito Trinidad and Miguel Cotto. But Verdejo never fought for a world title and now faces a life sentence after being found guilty of two of the four charges. A federal jury of nine men and three women found Verdejo guilty of the crimes of kidnapping and death of an unborn child. The jury did not agree on the charges of carjacking, and use of a firearm. The sentencing hearing will be on November 3rd at 2:00 p.m. In his professional career, Verdejo went 27-2 with 17 knockouts. His last fight was in December 2020.
PRIOR BOXINGTALK COVERAGE
JAN. 31, 2022: Federal prosecutors in Puerto Rico have notified the court that former lightweight contender Felix Verdejo will no longer face the death penalty in connection with the death of Keishla Rodríguez Ortiz. The United States government's brief court filing stated only, "The United States of America notifies the Court that it will not seek the death penalty in this case against Félix Verdejo-Sánchez and Luis Antonio Cádiz-Martínez." Verdejo represented Puerto Rico in the 2012 Olympics, where he lost to Vasiliy Lomachenko. As a professional, he never acheived the stardom that he was projected for, posting a respectable 27-2 record but losing his final bout to Masayoshi Nakatani in December 2020. A few months later, the married Verdejo was charged in the horrific kidnapping and murder of his pregnant girlfriend. The allegations are that Rodriguez Ortiz refused Verdejo's demand to terminate her pregnancy. The murder was accomplished by drugging the victim, tying her to a heavy rock and then throwing her off a bridge.
Verdejo has been imprisoned since May 2021 and his boxing career is almost certainly over as he still faces a life sentence in prison.
May 25, 2021 Update: On May 14th, the judge presiding over the capital murder case of professional boxer Felix Verdejo examined an affidavit from Verdejo claiming an inability to pay for an attorney. The judge made a preliminary determination that "based on that information, it seems that he is financially unable to afford adequate representation.” As a result, Verdejo will be eligible for two court-appointed attorneys given that the death penalty is a possibility for him. So far, Verdejo has had his own hired attorney appearing on his behalf. The married former Puerto Rican Olympic boxer, stands accused of carjacking and kidnapping resulting in the death of his pregnant girlfriend, crimes punishable by the death penalty.
May 11th update: A brief hearing was held in Puerto Rico on Tuesday for Verdejo. Present on Verdejo's behalf were three attorneys. Verdejo, in custody for eight days now, was present by video and assisted by a court interpreter. He had waived his right to appear physically at the hearing and consented to proceed via video. Verdejo was found competent to understand the proceedings. He waived the reading of the indictment and entered a plea of not guilty as to all counts. The Government was given seven days to produce certain evidence and the defense has 14 days thereafter to file motions against such evidence being admitted at trial. The case was referred to U.S. District Judge Pedro A. Delgado for further proceedings. The Government moved to keep Verdejo in detention pending trial. After hearing the parties, the court ordered Verdejo to remain in detention pending further proceedings. Included in the court's reasoning for keeping Verdejo detained were findings that the "weight of evidence against the defendant is strong" and that Verdejo is "subject to lengthy period of incarceration if convicted."
May 3rd update: Félix Verdejo surrendered to federal authorities in connection with the death of Keishla Rodríguez Ortiz. This development occurred shortly after an arrest warrant was issued against him. The FBI accused the former Puerto Rican Olympian of carjacking and kidnapping resulting in death, crimes that are eligible for the death penalty. Verdejo was also charged with intentionally killing an unborn child (Ortiz was pregnant, possibly by Verdejo, who is married to someone else). The New York Times spoke with the victim's mother, who said her daughter and Verdejo were involved in an affair that resulted in her pregnancy.
May 2nd update: Amid reports that the missing Puerto Rican woman linked to boxer Felix Verdejo has been found dead, Verdejo's promoter issued the following statement: "Top Rank's thoughts and prayers are with Keisha Marlene Rodríguez Ortiz’s Family and friends, and with all those in mourning. We are deeply disturbed by the news reports, and we will continue to monitor developments in the case as it progresses." Boxingtalk sends its deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Keisha Marlene Rodríguez Ortiz.
April 30th update: Puerto Rican lightweight, once considered a future superstar, is being questioned by law enforcement authorities in San Juan over the disappearnace of a 27 year-old woman identified as Keishla Marlen Rodríguez Ortiz. The news was reported in El Nuevo Dia, which identified Verdejo as a “person of interest.” The report said Verdejo showed up for questioning with two attorneys who said Verdejo would not be making any public comment on the matter. The report said the woman was believed to be alive but possibly kidnapped. Verdejo is 27-2 as a pro, but lost his last fight in December. Remember, Verdejo is presumed innocent at this time.
