More than five years after the crime, the trial has begun for Zadiel Rivero and Zandy de la Osa, two Cuban brothers accused of fatally stabbing a man in Hialeah Gardens.
The incident occurred on the night of February 11, 2019, in the parking lot of a house on the 8900 block of Northwest 112th Terrace. Zadiel Rivero, then 38, had a violent confrontation with the victim, Frank Canet.
According to footage obtained from a security camera at the scene, during the altercation Rivero stabbed Canet in the torso about twenty times with a kitchen knife and then threw him to the ground. Zandy de la Osa, Rivero's brother, proceeded to place his left leg and a metal pipe over the victim's body to prevent him from getting up.
When Canet finally managed to escape and get into his vehicle, Rivero began pursuing him. The victim's girlfriend, Dilaxy Madruga—then 18 years old—attempted to call emergency services, but the call was disconnected when Rivero took her phone.
The couple managed to escape and reached Mount Sinai Medical Center in Hialeah, but Canet succumbed to his injuries.
This Wednesday, the defense attorneys did not deny the killing but argued that it was in self-defense because the victim was allegedly under the influence of drugs and threatening Rivero, as reported by Telemundo 51 citing judicial sources. Jonathan Jordan, one of the defense attorneys, stated that the victim was intoxicated with methamphetamine, a drug that supposedly gave him superhuman strength.
"My client was helping his brother to prevent an intoxicated Superman from killing him," said Bruce Lehr, the other defense attorney.
The trial is ongoing. However, for Zadiel Rivero, this is not the only case in court, as he also faces charges for sexually abusing a minor along with his wife.
Key Questions About the Hialeah Gardens Stabbing Trial
The trial of Zadiel Rivero and Zandy de la Osa has sparked numerous questions regarding the circumstances and legal proceedings. Here are some key questions and answers to provide more clarity on the case.
Who are the accused in this trial?
The accused are Zadiel Rivero and Zandy de la Osa, two Cuban brothers charged with the fatal stabbing of Frank Canet.
What led to the stabbing incident?
The incident occurred during a violent confrontation in the parking lot of a house, where Rivero allegedly stabbed Canet multiple times.
What is the defense's argument?
The defense claims that the stabbing was in self-defense, alleging that Canet was under the influence of methamphetamine and posed a serious threat.
Are there other charges against Zadiel Rivero?
Yes, Zadiel Rivero also faces charges for sexually abusing a minor along with his wife.