Patient Claims Self-Defense In Death Of Hospital Roommate
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MIAMI BEACH (CBSMiami) -- Miami Beach Police have released new, disturbing details about a murder at Mt. Sinai Hospital's psychiatric unit.
They said patient Andre Brown admitted to killing his hospital roommate, Alejandro Ortega.
Police found Ortega bludgeoned on his bathroom floor and said Brown told them he beat and choked Ortega because he tried to touch Brown inappropriately.
Ortega's son called police to the hospital Saturday night, telling them the staff would not let him see his father, nor would they tell him why.
The arrest report indicated officers saw Ortega on the bathroom floor, bleeding from the head, with blood on the walls. The officers then found Brown in the TV lounge where he blurted out that it was self-defense and he "had to do it."
In a statement, Mt. Sinai called this a "tragic incident that took place within the confines of our psychiatric health unit. Our deepest sympathies are with the deceased's family and friends. The safety and well-being of our patients is our top priority. We continue to work with authorities in their investigation."
"That hospital is an intake unit for us for mental health," explained Miami Beach Police Officer Ernesto Rodriguez. "Officers on a daily basis encounter folks who are in need of mental health. We deal with them on a day to day basis. During this investigation Mt. Sinai has provided nothing but full cooperation. This is a very unfortunate incident."
Ortega's family said Sunday night that they have retained an attorney. Police charged Brown with second-degree murder.