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Lawyers Seek New Trial in ‘Facebook Killer' Case

Lawyers for the man convicted of killing his wife and posting a photo of the bloody corpse on Facebook are asking for a new trial.

Derek Medina's defense attorneys submitted three motions Monday night in his case, including one for disqualification of the judge for prejudice.

His attorneys are expected to go before a judge Friday on the motions.

Medina was convicted of second-degree murder last month in the August 2013 killing of 27-year-old Jennifer Alfonso at their South Miami home. Medina told police in a videotaped statement he shot his wife during an altercation in which she threatened him with a knife.

Medina, who did not testify in his own defense, admitted in the police statement taking a cellphone photo of his dead wife's body and uploading it on Facebook, along with a posting that said he expected to go to prison but was forced to kill her following years of physical abuse.

The second-degree murder conviction means that Medina, 33, faces a sentence of 25 years to life in prison. If he had been convicted of first-degree murder as initially charged, which requires proof of planning and premeditation, the life sentence would have been automatic.

Sentencing has been set for Jan. 11.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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