MIAMI – The Fort Lauderdale man charged with kidnapping his estranged wife in Spain will remain behind bars, a Miami federal judge ruled Friday. Meanwhile, the 36-year-old’s attorney made comments eliciting gasps from the courtroom.
During a pre-trial detention hearing, the judge determined that David Knezevich poses a flight risk, owing to his ties to Serbia, frequent international travel and means to aid flight. The judge, however, said the decision was a “close call” and pointed to the “circumstantial” evidence in the case.
David Knezevich is accused of kidnapping Ana Maria Knezevich Henao at her Madrid apartment as they went through a “contentious” separation. She hasn’t been seen since early February and remained missing as of Friday.
Court documents revealed key clues authorities said tied David Knezevich to the case, including surveillance video, a purchase of spray paint and suspicious messages purportedly authored by Ana Maria Knezevich that appear to have actually originated from her husband.
New details were also revealed in open court Friday as the judge considered whether to grant David Knezevich pre-trial release.
An FBI agent who testified that authorities were able to place David Knezevich in Madrid at the time of her disappearance faced a question from the judge over how well he could be seen in surveillance video from a paint retailer.
“100%,” the agent replied. “You can see him buying paint and two rolls of American duct tape.”
The agent also said blood was found in the Madrid apartment and federal authorities are waiting on DNA results from Spanish police.
The couple, the agent testified, agreed to an open relationship to fix their marriage. She was dating men in Madrid, he had a girlfriend in Colombia. The agent testified that Ana Maria Knezevich felt threatened, even suicidal over the struggles with David.
In court Friday, Jayne Weintraub, David Knezevich’s attorney, arguing on behalf of her client, made a comment to the judge that led to a gasp in the gallery.
“For all we know she is doing this because she is psychotic,” Weintraub said, referring to Ana Knezevich, saying it is documented that she “suffered from mental health issues for years.”
Weintraub said in court that the case is “defensible.”
An attorney representing Ana Knezevich’s family said the family was pleased with the judge’s denial of bond.
“We are very grateful to the court,” attorney Courtney Caprio said. “We are continuing to cooperate with law enforcement as they pursue justice for Ana Knezevich and to make sure that Ana Maria Henao Knezevich’s voice is heard.”
David Knezevich can appeal the ruling.