Man Faces 1st Degree Murder For Strangling Wife
MIAMI (CBS4) -- The Hialeah man accused of killing a woman in front of their 4-year-old child and then attempting to flee police by walking across the Palmetto Expressway only to be struck by a minivan is out of the hospital and behind bars.
Jose Antonio Pupo Gonzalez, 37, appeared before a bond court judge Thursday morning wearing a black protective vest reserved for those on suicide watch. He faces a first-degree murder charge and the judge denied bond.
Gonzalez is accused of strangling his wife, Yoanys Martinez Avila, a mother of two, on December 1st. Their son witnessed the violent death, police said.
After her murder, detectives spotted Gonzalez walking towards the Palmetto Expressway. He ran across traffic in an attempt to get away, but was struck by a mini-van. He survived-- fighting police as he was taken into custody.
The police department released a detailed timeline of what happened on December 1st, including Gonzalez calling a coworker saying he killed his wife and later finding a suicide note.
Authorities said Avila never reported being abused by her husband but family and friends knew of the violence.
Police said breaking the silence could have saved her life and could save others.
"Please call the police and initiate that process because it can prevent tragedies like this," said Hialeah Police Chief Mark Overton.
