Mexicali man charged with murder in girlfriend’s death
MEXICALI, B.C. (KYMA, KECY)-A 19-year-old man is charged with homicide Friday morning in connection to the death of his 20-year-old girlfriend, Genebit Livier Godínez Castañeda.
Police say on July 31, Godinez was found dead in the trunk of boyfriend's vehicle. Officials say the cause of Godínez's death was strangulation and suffocation.
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Godínez was an architecture student at the Autonomous University of Baja California in Mexicali.
The car Godinez was found in was abandoned near a neighborhood of UABC.
According to Mexicali authorities Alejandro was caught on a homeowners security camera abandoning the car the night of the murder.
Alejandro is in custody and facing homicide charges.
In court Alejandro’s defense team filed a petition to extend the hearing to Saturday and requested that more witnesses be brought to the hearing.
“He has the constitutional right to ask for up to six days for his team to fully review the evidence that is being presented to him. They’re also requesting that two more cops and a doctor come to witness. The judge granted the request and the defense team has until tomorrow,” said Cuauhtemoc Castilla, family attorney.
Godinez’s family says they’re completely torn by the death of their daughter and are asking that the maximum penalty be enforced.
“It’s the worst nightmare you can have, for your daughter and anyone's daughter to be killed like that. We can't believe this has happened and it’s going to be hard to overcome this, we want justice and we want the maximum penalty,” said Enrique Godinez, Godinez’s uncle.
Godinez is now registered as the fourth woman brutally murdered in Mexicali this year and the 17th in Baja California.
It’s a death that shocked the school campus of UABC where Godinez was studying. Classmates and loved ones gathered outside the hearing to be a voice for Godinez.
“Theres always a fear inside of all of us because you are not safe. Unfortunately we are not safe and wherever you are you have to be aware of where you are cause you can be attacked. It’s enough and I’m tired of it, i'm here to support her and every girl in mexico,” said Daniela Erbe, student.
Godinez’s family says they are so proud of their daughter; she was excelling in school and was already proving to be successful with her architecture designs.
“We’re so grateful to God for the time that she was here with us and we’re waiting for justice,” said Enrique Godinez, victim’s uncle.
A second hearing is scheduled for Saturday at 12:00 p.m.
