Bronx man accused of killing girlfriend appears in court
A Bronx man accused of stabbing his girlfriend to death inside their home appeared in court today, as the victim's family spoke exclusively with News 12 about their grief and the relationship they say had a history of violence.
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A Bronx man accused of stabbing his girlfriend to death inside their home appeared in court Thursday, as the victim's family spoke exclusively with News 12 about their grief and the relationship they say had a history of violence.
Yesenia Hall, 42, was a mother of three who investigators say was stabbed to death inside her Concourse Village apartment Saturday morning. Her son was also stabbed during the incident and is recovering.
"This is not your normal death. This is not your normal funeral. This is a murder," said Edwin Maldonado, Yesenia's brother.
Police say Yesenia's boyfriend, Juan Rivas, is responsible for the attack. Rivas pleaded not guilty to several charges, including second-degree murder, manslaughter and endangering the welfare of a child. A judge adjourned the case until April 20. He is being held at Rikers in the meantime.
Yesenia's family says the relationship was always in turmoil. Her brother described arguments and violence inside the home, saying the children were used to the chaos.
"The kids are very numb to it. So normality is set in their mental state… whatever happens in that house was considered normal," Maldonado said.
Relatives say the couple had been dating for about five years and that the family did not approve of the relationship. One cousin told News 12 he previously saw Rivas assault Yesenia.
"He didn't feel nothing. He was laughing," said cousin David Maldonado
Family members say they want Yesenia to be remembered as a loving and energetic mother.
They say their focus now is taking care of her children and getting justice for Yesenia.
