According to Gascón, Medina admitted to committing the murder and authorities found the weapon used in the crime. They also recovered additional evidence from the bed that showed that the murder occurred in the place where O’Connell’s body was found.
It was further revealed that O’Connell sustained multiple gunshot wounds, and when he was discovered in his bedroom by a deacon, it initially appeared that he had died of natural causes. However, when paramedics arrived, they discovered that his death was suspicious.
Detectives originally believed that Medina’s motive was money, after a tipster had told police that Medina claimed O’Connell owed him money. However, during the investigation, detectives discovered that none of the reasons given by Medina made any sense, and they do not believe that money was a motive.
Medina was identified as a person of interest on Sunday, after a tipster reported that he was acting strangely and had made comments about the bishop owing him money. Detectives arrested him on Monday and charged him on Wednesday.
In response to a reporter’s question during the press conference, Gascón confirmed that there was no forced entry into O’Connell’s residence, indicating that Medina had a key or some other form of access to the bishop’s home.
If convicted, Medina faces 35 years to life in prison.
The murder of Bishop David O’Connell has left the community in shock, and many are struggling to come to terms with the tragic loss.
Pray for the soul of Bishop O’Connell!
🙏
