A man, Magnus Humphrey, is facing accusations of killing a pregnant model who was discovered bound and gagged in her refrigerator. Despite only knowing the victim, Maleesa Mooney, for a brief five days, Humphrey’s behavior had turned “obsessive”. The court heard testimonies indicating that Humphrey and Mooney had a romantic involvement, with Humphrey expressing possessiveness towards her.
During the short time they spent together, witnesses testified that Humphrey and the model were inseparable, and he even mentioned the idea of marrying her. Tragically, Maleesa Mooney, who was two months pregnant at the time, was found dead in her refrigerator. The court was shown evidence of her body being bound with electrical cords and fabric from a cheetah-print dress, with signs of physical trauma suggesting she had been subjected to violence.
The medical examiner concluded that the cause of death was likely asphyxiation resulting from homicidal violence. Deputy District Attorney Antonella Nistorescu characterized the murder as a deliberate and premeditated act of cruelty. While the motive remains unclear, it was suggested that the incident might have stemmed from a monetary dispute.
In response, Humphrey’s defense attorney denied his client’s involvement in the murder, pointing out that being present at the crime scene and having a sexual relationship with the victim did not equate to being the perpetrator. Despite this defense, the judge ruled there was enough evidence for Humphrey to stand trial for the torture and murder of Maleesa Mooney.
Humphrey potentially faces the death penalty, although the district attorney’s office has yet to decide whether to pursue capital punishment in this case.
