ST. LUCIE COUNTY — A man arrested in connection with the August death of a 23-year-old woman and her unborn child “maintains his…
ST. LUCIE COUNTY — A man arrested in connection with the August death of a 23-year-old woman and her unborn child “maintains his innocence,” the man’s lawyer said.
Jose Soto-Escalera, now 42, was arrested Sept. 21 after St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office investigators said they linked him to the death of Tania Wise and her unborn child.
Wise’s body was found Aug. 24 in a ditch along Russo Road near Johnston Road in northwestern St. Lucie County.
More: Tania Wise murder case: Blackmail, abortion and ‘ghost gun’ referenced in St. Lucie arrest report
“There are some other people that this gal was involved with,” said Leonard Villafranco, Soto-Escalera’s attorney. “Her circle of friends, not a lot of very nice people, and there are some other people that could be looked at for this crime.”
Soto-Escalera, of Port St. Lucie, faces charges of second-degree murder with a weapon and second-degree murder of an unborn child. Second-degree indicates an unplanned killing.
Villafranco said at a recent court hearing bond was denied for Soto-Escalera. Another court date is scheduled in December.
More: St.
