Prosecutors say a 4-year-old child may have witnessed the murder and dismemberment of an Alabama man last week.
Joselina Elizabeth Lopez appeared Tuesday at a bond hearing in a Geneva County court, WDHN reported.
She was arrested last Thursday for the murder of 41-year-old Benito Morales Guzman, who was found dismembered in a car behind his house on August 27, as CrimeOnline reported. He had vanished days before his body was found.
Lopez is charged with beheading Guzman with a chainsaw and dumping his body in the car.
At the bond hearing, investigators testified said they were searching for Guzman when they came across the vehicle, noting a “strong odor.” They found a chainsaw and the body — in 10 to 15 pieces, stuffed into garbage bags that were in the backseat and trunk, WDHN said.
Inside the home, they found a handgun, a hatchet, two knives, two more chainsaws, and receipts for the tools. Additionally, chainsaw marks were spotted on the floor. Although the autopsy is not complete, police believe Guzman was shot several times before he was dismembered.
Investigators also said they believe the couple’s 4-year-old child, who has autism and birth defects, and other people were present for the murder.
Lopez claimed self-defense during the hearing. Her lawyers said Guzman owed money to someone for drugs and that her family was being threatened for the money. Prosecutors said they had no evidence of self-defense. Lopez had bruises, they said, but they could not say they were caused by Guzman.
Prosecutors asked that she be denied bond over concerns she would flee to Mexico. Her attorneys argued that she has no ties to Mexico, having never been outside the United States, and that she was willing to ear an ankle monitor if she is given bond.
The judge said he would make a ruling by the end of the week.
