Darron Lee
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Ohio State linebacker Darron Lee.
New and disturbing details have emerged following the arrest of former Ohio State All-American linebacker and NFL first round draft pick Darron Lee that could bolster a possible capital punishment case against him in Tennessee.
Lee, who won a national championship with the Buckeyes in 2015, was arrested on charges of first degree murder on February 6 outside of Chattanooga after his girlfriend, Gabriella Perpétuo, was found dead at their home.
Hamilton County Criminal Court Judge Tori Smith ruled Lee would continue to be held without bond on Wednesday afternoon.
From The Associated Press: “Authorities carrying out a search warrant found multiple kinds of trauma to the woman’s body, including a stab wound to her abdomen, an apparent human bite mark on her shoulder, a large bruise on her head, black eyes with heavy swelling, and dried blood on her face and neck, according to the affidavit. Lockhart testified that she also had a severe brain injury and a broken neck. She had more stab wounds on her legs while wearing pants without cut marks, suggesting the pants were put on afterward, Hamilton County District Attorney Coty Wamp said.”
Lee, 31 years old, was a first round pick (No. 20 overall) by the New York Jets in the 2016 NFL draft. He played 6 seasons for 4 different teams and won a Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs following the 2019 season.
Victim’s Family Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit
According to Local 3 News in Chattanooga, Perpetuo’s family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Lee seeking $25 million in damages.
Perpetuo’s parents said their daughter was just 3 months away from completing a nursing degree.
“I heard the police officer asking, ‘Is this the residence of Noemia Monique Perpétuo?’ very firm,” her mother, Monique, recalled. “I knew in that moment. I kneeled down and prayed to God to have mercy on my daughter, but to keep her here on earth (with) us, but it was too late.”
Lee has also been charged with tampering with evidence.
“The microwave was shattered,” Hampton County detective Brian Lockhart testified on Wednesday. “There was glass everywhere. There was alcoholic bottles everywhere in the house. There was blood going up the staircase on the hand rail. There was blood on the walls. There was blood on the floor in the living room. There was blood in the hallway upstairs. There was blood in just about every room.”
Lee Has Long Criminal History
Lee, who played for Ohio State from 2013 to 2015, was already on probation in multiple states. In Florida, for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in one county and battery in another. In Ohio, the probation was for attempted batteries.
The case is eligible for capital punishment, although prosecutors have not said whether or not they will seek the death penalty.
“Mr. Lee was in a home with a female that was, for lack of a better term, beaten to death,” Wamp said in making the case for Lee being held without bond. “And the explanation that he gave doesn’t make any sense whatsoever.”