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On Monday after three hours of deliberations, a Wake County jury convicted former Wake County teacher, Joanna Madonna of first-degree murder in the June 2013 stabbing death of her husband, Jose Perez.  When the verdict was read Madonna showed little emotion, however her oldest daughter, 22 year old Rachel Lopez, broke down in tears and was quickly escorted out.

Following the verdict, the judge sentenced Madonna to life in prison without the possibility of parole. That same morning, defense attorney Deonte Thomas argued that Madonna made a key mistake after stabbing her husband “She should have picked up the phone and called police.”

Over about an hour and a half, Thomas described what he described as a series of poor choices by a woman who had a lifelong history of the same, referring to her testimony about multiple failed marriages and struggles with drug and alcohol abuse.  48 year old Madonna admitted to stabbing 64 year old Perez but claims she acted in self-defense.

Lopez testified that she saw her mother and stepfather leave the house together on June 15, 2013, however her mother returned alone.  Lopez also said she suggested calling police, but her mother declined.

Initially Madonna told investigators and friends that her husband had moved to Florida, however she admitted on the stand that was a lie.  Madonna’s defense team claims her series of choices were designed to cover up the death of her husband as mistakes.

Thomas said “She was reacting to this thing like it was a hostile break up. If she planned this she would have done better clean-up, a better cover-up” citing testimony that she gathered her husband’s clothing and threw it in the trash.

An issue in the case is whether Perez would have been physically able to assault his wife as she claims. A doctor testified that Perez was in such bad health, it would have been “a real challenge” for him to attack his wife.

Dr. Robert Falge, a Raleigh doctor who treated Perez, said he had numerous health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, chronic back pain and other serious ailments. Falge said, his health was so bad, that he could barely hold a fork or walk without assistance, let alone hold a gun and take part in a fight.

That testimony was countered by Thomas with a picture of a vibrant Perez who worked in his yard and enjoyed time with grandchildren.

 

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