In a one-month trial that captured the nation’s attention, former Olympic boxer Félix Verdejo Sánchez was found guilty by a jury in the U.S. District Court of Puerto Rico for kidnapping resulting in death and causing the death of an unborn child. The verdict came almost two years after the body of his pregnant girlfriend, Keishla Rodríguez Ortiz, was tragically discovered in a lagoon in San Juan. The jury, consisting of three men and nine women, delivered the verdict on Friday, while being unable to reach a decision on the other two charges. Verdejo’s sentencing is scheduled for November 3rd.
The case had significant ramifications beyond the courtroom, as Rodríguez Ortiz’s death sparked widespread protests across Puerto Rico, bringing attention to the urgent issue of gender violence on the island. In response to the public outcry and growing concerns about the treatment of women, Governor Pedro Pierluisi declared a state of emergency for gender violence, acknowledging the profound impact of “systematic machismo, inequity, discrimination, lack of education, lack of guidance, and above all, lack of action.”
Rodríguez Ortiz’s father, José Antonio Rodríguez, expressed his anguish and hope for justice after the verdict. He stated, “May he live the rest of his life thinking about everything he did to my daughter. I do not wish him death. I wish him good health and that he can live as long as he can live. If he wants to live 200 years, let him live, but that he remembers what he did to my daughter, always.” The case also shed light on the need for societal change and the importance of confronting gender violence head-on. The impact of this trial will likely resonate for years to come as Puerto Rico grapples with the urgent necessity of addressing gender-related issues.
The tragic fate of Keishla Rodríguez Ortiz has now become a symbol of the struggle against gender violence, prompting a demand for accountability and change. With protests demanding justice for victims and heightened awareness of the issue, Puerto Rico finds itself at a critical juncture in its fight against this social evil. As the community mourns the loss of Keishla Rodríguez Ortiz, it also stands united in the hope that her story will spark a lasting transformation in the country’s approach to gender violence. The journey towards a safer and more equitable Puerto Rico continues, driven by the determination to ensure that tragedies like this never repeat themselves.