Navy sailor accused of murdering Mexia High School graduate heads to arraignment
Jermiah Copeland charged with premeditated murder of Seaman Angelina Resendiz
MEXIA, Texas (KWTX) - The legal process is moving forward for Navy Seaman Jermiah Copeland, who is charged with the premeditated murder of Seaman Angelina Resendiz, a Mexia High School graduate.
The case has been a lengthy ordeal for Resendiz’s mother, Esmeralda Castle, who is navigating the military justice system while seeking answers about her daughter’s death.
“I’m not sure how I feel,” Castle said. “This is the process.”
Previous charges raise concerns
In September, Castle attended Copeland’s first pretrial hearing, where his charges of assaulting other individuals on Naval Station Norfolk were discussed. The charges have raised concerns about whether warning signs were ignored.
“He did things on that ship before he got to Angie that they knew about,” Castle said.
Marshall Griffin, the attorney representing Resendiz’s family, believes Copeland’s premeditated murder charge will be brought before a general court-martial and read to him at an arraignment.
“The fact that I was notified tells me that a charge impacting my client was sent to a general court-martial,” Griffin said. “I suspect that charge is the premeditated murder charge. But I can’t confirm that. I haven’t seen it in writing, I have seen the charge sheet, and I haven’t seen any of the documents from the case.”
Calls for independent investigation
Last week, LULAC held a press conference demanding answers and calling for an independent investigation of Resendiz’s death. Castle believes the military system failed to protect her daughter from someone they knew posed a threat.
“They knew that this person was capable of harm, but they ignored it,” Castle said. “For whatever reason, whatever their policies are, or whatever system that allows them to do this, it is broken.”
The charges will be brought before a military judge at a general court-martial. After that, Copeland’s arraignment date will be set. Castle hopes for systemic change in how the military handles such cases, saying her closure will come when similar tragedies can be prevented.
“If I want anything, it would be my daughter, my kid. For this to have never happened,” Castle said.
An arraignment date has not been set.
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