Teen accused of killing stepfather with knife, sword and ax has been charged

An 18-year-old man accused of using a knife, sword and ax to murder his stepfather was formally charged on Monday.

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Juan Andres Gonzalez, 18, is charged with second-degree murder in connection to the June 20 killing of 45-year-old Cesar Valderrama Murillo, according to a court document filed by prosecutor Alexa Antin. He has pleaded not guilty.

Deputies originally arrested Gonzalez on a first-degree murder charge. It’s unclear whether prosecutors will seek to indict Gonzalez, who is being held without bond at the Metro West Detention Center, to upgrade his murder charge.

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Around 3 a.m. on the day of the slaying, Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office deputies found Valderrama Murillo with stab wounds in his home on the 1500 block of Northeast 148th Street, according to Gonzalez’s arrest report. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue declared Valderrama Murillo dead at the scene.

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The on-scene investigation, deputies say, determined that Gonzalez stabbed and struck Valderrama Murillo with multiple weapons after he fell asleep while sitting at the dining-room table. Deputies found a blood-stained knife, sword and ax inside the home.

Valderrama Murillo’s wife told investigators she heard sounds coming from the living- room area, and Gonzalez told her he “rendered [Valderra Murillo] unconscious,” according to the report.

Before the killing, however, Gonzalez was caught on surveillance footage moving cameras inside the home, the report says. Gonzalez was arrested after deputies found him hiding inside a locked bathroom in the home.

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Gonzalez declined to speak with detectives after his arrest

Miami Herald Staff Writer Devoun Cetoute contributed to this report.