Man Convicted of Murder in 1992 Served 30 Years in Prison. Now He’s Accused of Killing a Father Who’d Just Lost His Son
Jorge Luis Oritz mugshot; Nelson Manuel BatistaCredit: Bridgeport Police; Luz de Paz Funeral Home
Jorge Luis Ortiz, 57, was arrested in connection with the Oct. 12 fatal shooting of Nelson Manuel Batista, 48, in Bridgeport, Conn.
Ortiz previously served 30 years in prison for a 1992 murder conviction, according to court officials cited by News 12 Connecticut
Batista’s only son, 25-year-old Air Force Senior Airman Pierce Anthony Batista, died just weeks before the father of four was killed
A Connecticut man who served 30 years in prison for murder is now accused of killing a father of four — who had just lost his only son — in an apparent road rage shooting.
Jorge Luis Ortiz, 57, was arrested on Sunday, Oct. 18, in connection with the fatal shooting of Nelson Manuel Batista, 48, in Bridgeport, according to News 12 Connecticut and the Connecticut Post.
Ortiz was convicted of murder in 1992 and served 30 years in prison, News 12 reported, citing court officials.
Batista, meanwhile, had been grieving the death of his only son, 25-year-old Air Force Senior Airman Pierce Anthony Batista, who died suddenly on Sept. 25 in Fairfield, Calif., the Connecticut Post reported.
Nelson Manuel BatistaCredit: Luz de Paz Funeral Home
Batista’s sister, Wisleidis Cruz, told the outlet that her brother also had three daughters and had been deeply affected by his son’s death.
“He did not want to go,” Cruz told the Connecticut Post, referring to her brother’s final moments. “As sad as he may have been because of his son’s passing, this is a man who had life in him.”
Batista was found lying in the street beside his car near the intersection of Cottage Street and Park Avenue around 9 a.m. on Oct. 12, according to NBC Connecticut. He had suffered a gunshot wound to the chest and was transported to St. Vincent’s Medical Center, where he later died.
Bridgeport Police Chief Roderick Porter said the two men did not know each other and described the shooting as a random act, according to News 12.
“We could characterize it as some sort of road rage incident, so it was really important we got this individual off the streets as quickly as possible because he was a threat to the community,” Porter said during an Oct. 19 news conference.
Jorge Luis Oritz mugshotCredit: Bridgeport Police
Dashcam footage that circulated online showed two men struggling over a handgun in the street, according to the Connecticut Post. Police confirmed that the footage showed a suspect in Batista’s killing.
Investigators credited the footage and assistance from the community with helping identify a suspect.
“That was a large part of this investigation. We commend that citizen that came forward,” Detective Jeffrey Holtz said, according to News 12. “We were not pleased that video went viral online, but the result is we do have an arrest today.”
Officers spotted Ortiz walking on Bridgeport’s East Side on Sunday night after searching for him for several days, the Connecticut Post reported. He allegedly fled when approached but was quickly apprehended.
Ortiz was subsequently charged with murder and criminal possession of a firearm.
During his arraignment Monday, a judge increased his bond from $2.5 million to $5 million, with 30% required in cash, News 12 reported. The increase was attributed to Ortiz’s criminal history, according to court officials cited by the outlet.
Cruz attended Monday’s news conference and thanked investigators and community members for helping bring her family some closure.
“It’s just good to know that he is not out there anymore, and he cannot cause anybody else or any other family any more harm,” she said, per the outlet.
The arrest came hours before Batista’s viewing Monday evening, with his funeral and burial scheduled for the following day.
“We can lay him at peace. Thank you for providing us with peace,” Cruz said, per News 12.
Ortiz is scheduled to return to court on Nov. 3.
Source: Crime
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