Teen Released On Bail In Death Of Mom's Ex-Boyfriend In The Bronx
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A high school football player was free on bond Tuesday night, after his arrest on a manslaughter charge.
As CBS2's Tony Aiello reported, police said Luis Moux, 18, killed his mother's ex-boyfriend in the Bronx by strangulation. The question swirling Tuesday night was whether his actions amounted to a crime or a matter of legitimate defense.
Moux was released on $50,000 bail after a court appearance Tuesday. He offered his mother a big hug as he left the lockup in the Bronx.
A lawyer for the teen said the manslaughter charge was a terrible misjustice.
"This is an 18-year old victim," said attorney Walter Fields. "Some animal tried to hurt his mother and he did what any good, young man would do."
Investigators say just after 4:30 a.m. Monday, her ex-boyfriend, 43-year-old Stanley Washington, came to speak with Moux's mother, 37-year-old Lorena Sesma.
Sources say the former couple got into a quarrel and Washington followed Sesma into the apartment, where he allegedly began assaulting her.
They say the commotion woke the teen, who was in a back bedroom. When Moux came out, sources say he saw Washington on top of his mother and stepped in. Moux allegedly said he put Washington "in a chokehold for more than two minutes until he went to sleep."
Sesma, who says she had passed out as well, woke up and says she called 911. Washington was pronounced dead at the scene.
"Luis would never ever just come out and do that," said football coach Bruce Eugene. "He was definitely protecting his mom which any kid would do."
A police source said Washington had been arrested more than two dozen times -- with at least two domestic complains against him for abusing Sesma.
But outside Washington's Fordham apartment, a large memorial spoke to the regard of many friends and neighbors.
Washington's brother spoke to CBS2 off camera.
"Always considered this young man a son. He loved this kid," Washington's brother said. "I'm not painting this kid to be bad. He has anger issues// Whatever happened, somebody's trying to cover something up."
Up next for the case, a grand jury will decide whether to indict Moux on a charge of manslaughter. He is due back in court on Friday.