Florida prosecutors stated that the knife used by the 13-year-old boy to kill his mother in October was only sent to a lab for testing recently.
Derek Rosa is accused of killing his mother by stabbing her while she was sleeping. During the court hearing on Wednesday, Rosa's lawyers questioned why they have not received bodycam footage and results from various items taken from the scene, including the murder weapon, knife fragments, and his clothes during the crime.
Prosecutors clarified that physical evidence was sent to the lab this week and mentioned that the Secret Service returned Rosa's phone recently, while an Xbox and three tablets remained with the police.
READ: Supporters gathered for 13-year-old Derek, who stabbed his mother 46 times, seeking justice for him.
Prosecutors explained that one of the tablets belonged to the school district, and the Xbox did not belong to Rosa when asked why these devices were not given to the Secret Service.
Rosa allegedly stabbed his mother more than 40 times while she slept with her unharmed newborn daughter and told investigators how he got a kitchen knife and repeatedly stabbed her after waking up.
After the killing, Rosa allegedly sent a friend two photos of his mother and a selfie showing blood on his hands.
The teen allegedly told a 911 dispatcher that he sent pictures of his dead mother to someone he met online and mentioned there was blood all over the floor.
He allegedly said in the 911 call, “I took pictures and I told my friend about it. Was that bad?”
The motive for the crime remains undisclosed. Rosa, who is charged as an adult, is due back in court on April 19.
[Feature Photo: Derek Rosa/Miami-Dade Prosecutor’s Office]