Man Charged With Murdering Woman, Leaving Body In Trash Can
MIAMI (CBSMiami) - A Miami man with an extensive arrest history is charged with shooting and killing a 31-year-old woman and dumping her body in a green sanitation trash container during the Fourth of July weekend.
It was a crime that horrified neighbors and detectives made the arrest just four days after the disturbing discovery in front of a home at 137 N.E. 55th St.
Thirty-two-year-old Damien Mungin is charged with 2nd degree murder. He told a Judge in bond court that he did not have the money for an attorney. An Assistant Public Defender was appointed for him. He was held without bond.
Police could not say what prompted the shooting but it was learned in bond court that Mungin had convictions for fleeing and eluding in Jacksonville in 2009 and convictions in Georgia in 2001 for resisting police without violence and robbery.
He was also placed on probation for five years for dealing in stolen property, according to testimony in court and parole violations in 2004 and 2006.
Miami Police Officer Freddie Burden told CBS4's Peter D'Oench, "We really want to thank everyone who called in to Crime Stoppers and gave us everything we needed. Witnesses called in to investigators. They followed their leads and did a phenomenal job."
A CBS4 crew was at the crime scene on Monday as police searched for evidence and even removed a dumpster.
Two areas are still sealed off by yellow crime scene tape and guarded by Miami Police.
Neighbors including Carol Ayala, a mother of 5, say they were horrified by the crime.
"It's very sad," Ayala told D'Oench. "It was very cruel. How can you put a body there like that, like she is worthless. It is very sad."
Another neighbor who did not want to show all of her face said, "I feel horrible. It happened right in front of my door. I have a little girl. I'm 28. It could have been me. So it's very devastating. They treated her like she was nothing. That's what made it very hard."
"Arresting somebody is fine," she said, "but it will not be more soothing for me until the evidence matches him."
Ayala said, "I'm glad they took someone that cruel off the streets."
Even though Damien Mungin is behind bars, Miami Police say they still need help with this case.
They are asking for more witnesses to come forward.
Anyone with additional information regarding the case is asked to contact any detective of the Miami Police Department Homicide Unit at (305) 603-6350.
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