BUILDING SUPERINTENDENT INDICTED FOR MURDER IN THE
STRANGULATION DEATH OF HIS 14-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER

Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced today that 34-year-old Miguel Matias has been indicted for murder in the strangulation death of his 14-year-old daughter Ana Matias.

The grand jury charged Matias with one count of Murder in the 2nd degree and one count of Manslaughter in the 1st degree. Matias is facing a maximum sentence of up to 25 years to life imprisonment if he is convicted of the top count of Murder in the 2nd degree.

The court was informed of the grand jury’s action during the defendant’s arraignment via closed circuit television at Bellevue Hospital before State Supreme Court Justice Neil Ross. The judge ordered that the defendant be held without bail and also undergo a psychiatric examination to determine his competence to stand trial and assist his lawyer in preparing his defense. The defendant’s next court appearance is scheduled for Tuesday, March 25, 2008 in Bronx State Supreme Court, Part A.

Ana Matias was killed on February 16, 2008 at 1005 Walton Avenue, the Bronx where her father resided and worked as the building’s superintendent. The victim’s body was recovered from a furnace in the boiler room.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Cristina Park of the Gangs / Major Case Bureau .