US Soldier Charged in Panamanian Woman's Murder

36 year old US Army sergeant, Omar Velez Pagan began trial on Monday March 22  in North Carolina for the murder of Vanessa Rodríguez, a 25 year old Panamanian student. Vélez Pagán, was in Panama training Panamanian police.

The victims body was found by a police officer on a farm near the river Guararé in Los Santos June 23, 2014, near the training site where Velez-Pagan worked with other U.S. soldiers and Panamanian National police trainees A pickaxe, shovel white powder expected to be lime were found next to the body.

At a preliminary hearing  Lawyers for Velez-Pagan argued the death of Rodriguez was an accident. According to testimony, Rodriguez died after being run over by Velez-Pagan’s truck. His lawyers claim the accused did not intend to harm to Rodriguez, rather that he accidentally backed his truck over her, during an argument.

Investigators argued he  was using steroids and unable to control his emotions, leading to a violent outburst with his career and livelihood on the line.