BRONX, NY – A Bronx man has been indicted on murder and manslaughter charges after prosecutors said he fatally beat his roommate during a violent confrontation inside their Edenwald Houses apartment last month.
Enoch Rosado, 67, is accused of killing Miguel Batiz, 35, with a heavy tool inside their shared apartment on East 229th Drive South on October 22.
Rosado was arraigned Thursday before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Kim Parker on charges of second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter, and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He was remanded into custody and is scheduled to return to court on February 18.
Key Points
- 67-year-old Bronx man indicted for killing his 35-year-old roommate.
- Victim suffered numerous blunt force injuries inside Edenwald Houses apartment.
- Defendant was seen on video leaving the scene with blood on his clothing.
Prosecutors say dispute turned deadly inside shared apartment
According to investigators, Rosado attacked Batiz around 4 a.m. inside their NYCHA apartment, striking him repeatedly with a heavy tool during what prosecutors described as an ongoing dispute. Surveillance video later showed Rosado leaving the building with blood on his face and clothes.
At approximately 8:20 a.m., Rosado called 911 to report he had been in a fight with his roommate. When police arrived, they found Rosado standing outside the apartment. Inside, officers discovered Batiz unresponsive with severe injuries to his head, body, and hands. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Bronx DA condemns “shocking act of violence”
“This defendant allegedly resorted to a shocking act of violence to settle an ongoing dispute,” said Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark. “He allegedly struck his roommate multiple times, killing him.”
Case led by Bronx Homicide Bureau
Assistant District Attorney Devin Horzempa of the Homicide Bureau is prosecuting the case under the supervision of Burim Namani, Deputy Chief of the Homicide Bureau, and Christine Scaccia, Bureau Chief, along with oversight from James Brennan and Theresa Gottlieb of the Trial Division.
District Attorney Clark credited NYPD Detectives Stephen Doyle and Kelvin Guillen, along with Dr. Terra Cederroth of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, for their roles in the investigation.
Prosecutors emphasized that the indictment is an accusation and that Rosado is presumed innocent until proven guilty.