MIAMI – The 31-year-old man accused of killing his wife, then posting a picture of her body on Facebook was arraigned Thursday.
Sporting a thick beard, Derek Medina sauntered into the courtroom where his attorney, Saam Zangenph, entered a not guilty plea. Medina is charged with second-degree murder, but prosecutors will likely seek a first-degree murder indictment when the grand jury returns in September.
"While second-degree murder is charged, it doesn't mean or doesn't preclude the prosecution from amending the charges," said Zangenph.
Prosecutors also filed charges of shooting a deadly missile and child neglect without great bodily harm against Medina.
Authorities say Derek Medina posted a Facebook status on Aug. 8 in which he confessed to killing 26-year-old Jennifer Alfonso. Moments later, a gruesome photo appeared on the page of a woman slumped on the floor. Medina later told police he had gotten into an argument with Alfonso that day. His apparently post also included a claim of self-defense.
"My wife was punching me and I am not going to stand anymore with the abuse," the post said.
Both were eventually taken down by the social media site, but not before they were shared countless times.
Read: Is Medina's case like Zimmerman's case?
Zangeneh said his team hasn't decided on a defense strategy yet. A judge set a tentative trial date of Nov. 4.