The case surrounding Derek Rosa, the teenager who confessed to stabbing his mother at their Hialeah home when he was just 13, continues to raise questions that neither his guilty plea nor his sentencing have managed to answer.
Two years after the 911 call that shook South Florida, the teen's attorney, Dayliset Rielo, spoke for the first time following the plea agreement with the prosecution. In an interview with journalist Gloria Ordaz of Telemundo 51, she disclosed new insights into the case.
Her statements not only delve into the judicial process but also highlight what she believes remains misunderstood: Derek's life before the crime, the decisions made behind closed doors, and how the public narrative of a divisive case was shaped.
Justice for Irina and Her Son
While the defense focused on representing Derek, a portion of the public wondered who was advocating for the victim, Irina García.
Rielo addressed this directly: "Doing justice for Irina García is also doing justice for her son."
For the attorney, the proceedings should not be seen as a confrontation between victim and accused but rather as a family tragedy where everyone suffered a loss.
"Any person, any family, can find themselves in this situation," she asserted.
Rielo emphasized that her role was not to dismiss the pain caused but to ensure the rights of a minor were upheld, maintaining that Derek should have been treated as a child throughout the process.
A Personal and Challenging Case
Rielo described the legal proceedings as "deeply tortuous" on both a professional and personal level.
"This case was personal because all my cases are personal. It's not just a file or a client—it's a human being, a family going through the worst moment of their lives," she explained.
During court hearings, the close relationship between the attorney and her client was evident. She was seen offering gestures of support to Derek during especially trying moments in court.
The case, which garnered media attention both in and out of the United States, generated what Rielo describes as a wave of international support.
“I've never seen so many people come together to defend the child, supporting the truth and the defense,” she noted.
Nevertheless, it also faced significant criticism.
“I believe those who criticized lacked empathy. Anyone could be Derek Rosa, any family could go through this,” she added.
The Guilty Plea Decision
One of the most sensitive aspects was the decision to enter a plea deal. Shortly before the trial began, Derek Rosa pleaded guilty.
He is currently serving a 25-year prison sentence followed by 20 years of probation at the Suwannee Correctional Institution.
Rielo firmly clarified that the decision was not imposed by the defense.
"In any criminal process, there comes a point where an offer is presented to the client, and that decision is the client's, regardless of what I or the team may have wanted," she stated.
While the attorney refrained from revealing confidential discussions with Derek, she made it clear that the final decision was solely his.
Court Disputes and Family Tensions
During the judicial process, disagreements with Judge Richard Hersh regarding case management became apparent. The defense even requested his removal, a motion that was denied.
"Empathy and integrity are always at the forefront, but a defense attorney must be relentless," Rielo expressed.
She also disagreed with Frank Ramos, Derek's stepfather, speaking as the closest family member during one court appearance, instead of Isabel Acosta, the victim's mother.
"It was an insult and painful to see someone who is practically a stranger make that statement," she asserted. This incident highlighted the internal fractures of a family torn by grief and a conviction that did not close the wounds.
Lingering Questions About Derek's Past
One of the public's biggest concerns revolves around the teen's past behavior. Were there any signs of violence? Did any prior issues foreshadow the tragedy? Rielo insists there were none.
"He never showed signs of violence beforehand," she affirmed.
She also called for trust in the state's correctional system.
"We must trust that its goal is to rehabilitate, not just administer a sentence."
Throughout the process, it emerged that Derek had been diagnosed with autism and attention deficit disorder.
The family has maintained that the relationship between mother and son was "normal," with rules and discipline but no signs of underlying violence.
The Untold Story
In the interview, Rielo suggested that, in the future, Derek Rosa might share his full account of the events.
"Out of respect, ethics, and integrity, that story belongs to Derek Rosa," she stated.
The attorney also revealed that the family received thousands of dollars in donations. The young man expressed gratitude through a message his defense shared publicly.
An email address was even set up for anyone with additional information to contribute new evidence that might eventually reopen the case.
"Cases like this deserve empathy and humanity. Not everyone knows what happens in each home, which is why we must strive to understand and prevent," Rielo concluded.
Family Grief After the Verdict
The attorney's comments add to those made this week by the teenager's father, José Rosa, also in an interview with Telemundo 51.
Visibly affected, he admitted he still cannot grasp how the tragedy occurred. He attended every court hearing and watched his son go through adolescence amid a criminal process that ended with a 25-year prison sentence and 20 years of probation.
He has stated that he respects the decision to plead guilty and, when he can visit him in prison, he will embrace and hold his son's hands.
He insists he never saw any signs that could have predicted such a devastating outcome and maintains that the relationship between mother and son did not show severe conflicts.
Meanwhile, the maternal grandmother, Isabel Acosta, summed up the family drama with a phrase that has become emblematic of the case: “They are two different kinds of love.”
She loves her murdered daughter and, at the same time, gives her unconditional support to her grandson.
She avoids making categorical statements about whether justice was served and admits she has not wanted to ask him directly why the crime occurred.
She also faces another loss: the distance with her granddaughter, a void that deepens the family rift.
Two years after the crime that shocked Hialeah, the sentence is set, but questions remain.
The defense insists there are still undisclosed elements. The family speaks of an incomplete truth.
Amidst this crossfire of pain, the memory of a murdered mother lingers, as does the life of a teenager who will spend much of his life behind bars.
Key Questions Surrounding Derek Rosa's Case
What were the main reasons for Derek Rosa's guilty plea?
The decision to plead guilty was ultimately Derek Rosa's own choice, as highlighted by his attorney, Dayliset Rielo. It was not imposed by the defense team but was a decision made by Derek after considering the plea deal offered by the prosecution.
How did the defense address public concerns about victim advocacy?
The defense, led by Dayliset Rielo, emphasized that doing justice for Irina García, the victim, also meant doing justice for her son, Derek. Rielo stressed that the case should be viewed as a family tragedy rather than a simple confrontation between victim and accused.
Were there any signs of violence in Derek Rosa's past?
According to attorney Dayliset Rielo, Derek Rosa showed no prior signs of violence. The family and defense have maintained that his relationship with his mother was typical, with no indications of underlying aggression.