The first-degree murder case against former NFL linebacker Darron Lee could include seeking the death penalty.
Hamilton County, Tenn., District Attorney Coty Wamp said during Wednesday’s bail hearing that the evidence against Lee included two “aggravating factors,” via Meg Doyle of NewsChannel9.com. would make Li eligible for the death penalty. After the hearing, Wamp told Doyle that a decision had not yet been made on whether to pursue the death penalty.
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Lee was denied bail during the trial. The case against bail included testimony that Lee violated the terms of his probation for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon by moving from Florida to Tennessee. Lee is also on probation for a 2023 incident in Ohio in which Lee pushed a woman and punched her in the face multiple times.
In this specific case, the details are disturbing. Gabriella Carvalho Perpétuo was found dead in her rental house. The scene was described in court as chaotic and violent.
“There was blood on the stairs, there was blood on the handrail, there was blood on the walls, there was blood on the living room floor, there was blood on the floor in the hallway and on the stairs… there was blood in almost every room except for one room,” Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Detective Brian Lockhart testified during the bond hearing.
Lee told investigators that the deceased suffered from narcolepsy and likely fell in the shower.
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Lockhart also testified that the microwave was smashed and broken glass was scattered throughout the house. Detectives found cleaning supplies upstairs, including “bleach wipes, a spray bottle and a full bag.” The charges against Lee include tampering with evidence.
Lockhart told the court the victim “suffered serious injuries including severe brain trauma, a broken neck, bruises all over his body, large bite marks on his shoulders and thighs, stab wounds to his legs and severe facial trauma”. The cause of death was blunt force trauma.
Lee was the Jets’ first-round pick in 2016. He spent three years with the Jets, three years with the Chiefs and one year with the Bills.
