NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – A Queens tenant was indicted for the murder of his landlord after the two argued about rent, prosecutors announced on Wednesday.
Davi Vidal, 19, is accused of strangling his landlord, Leo Zoraida, 55, in her East Elmhurst home after an argument on Dec. 4, according to the indictment.
On the same day, Zoraida wanted to talk to Vidal about the rent he owed her for an attic unit and called Vidal over to her house, according to a witness.
The following day at around 5 p.m. Zoraida's son came to check on her after she missed work and people weren't able to contact her.
Zoraida's son went into her apartment and found her body by the bathroom and called the police.
Vidal was at the scene when police arrived. He was crying and had scratch marks on his face, prosecutors said.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined that Leo died by strangulation following an autopsy.
Vidal was indicted on a charge of murder in the second degree.
If convicted, he faces 25 years to life in prison.
“We will seek justice for the brutally murdered victim and her loved ones,” Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said. “The defendant will have to answer to the charge that he violently took her life.”
Vidal was at the scene when police arrived. He was crying and had scratch marks on his face.