Overview
- Darron Lee was ordered held without bond in Hamilton County Criminal Court on charges of first-degree murder and tampering with evidence in the death of Gabriella Carvalho Perpétuo in Ooltewah, Tennessee.
- District Attorney Coty Wamp said in court that the state will pursue the death penalty following Wednesday’s hearing before Judge Tori Smith.
- Detective Brian Lockhart testified there was blood in nearly every room of the house and a vehicle in the garage tested positive for blood using BlueStar, with cleaning supplies found upstairs.
- An autopsy cited severe brain trauma, a broken neck, extensive bruising, large bite marks, stab wounds to the legs, and significant facial injuries, with the cause of death ruled blunt force trauma.
- Investigators said Lee called 911 and suggested Perpétuo fell in the shower, a claim they said was inconsistent with the evidence; a parole officer also testified Lee was on Florida probation and moved to Tennessee without approval, and his next court date is March 9.