Colleagues of the beloved Los Angeles teacher who was brutally murdered were emotional in court on Thursday as her alleged killer, a firefighter husband, appeared wearing a suicide vest.
Firefighter Andrew Jimenez, wearing a blue vest with no shirt underneath, stood behind plexiglass, his muscles clearly visible as he was led in and out of the courtroom by a sheriff’s department deputy.
The accused murderer, shackled, stood before Judge McGonigle in a downtown LA courthouse.
Jimenez looked broken and stared straight ahead as his public defender Mark Carrillo requested that he not be photographed, a request that was granted by the judge.
Jimenez only spoke to say “Yes, your honor” when asked if he agreed to have his arraignment moved to April as requested by Carrillo.
Jimenez was charged with the domestic violence murder of his wife, Mayra Jimenez, who was found battered to death in their home on Jan. 21.
His wife was a beloved teacher with LAUSD and a non-denominational ordained minister.
Five of Mayra’s fellow school teachers were present in court, with one visibly emotional at the sight of Jimenez. Deputy District Attorneys Kelsey McKeever-Unger and Chelsea Blatt were seen comforting them in the gallery.
Home videos showed a seemingly loving marriage between Andrew and Mayra, including footage from their wedding where they were seen affectionately kissing while wearing firefighter hats.
However, it was revealed that Jimenez had learned about Mayra’s alleged infidelity moments before the tragic incident.
Jimenez is scheduled to appear in court again on April 15, facing 26 years to life in state prison if convicted as charged.
