SAN JOSE, Calif. (KRON) — The family of slain Morgan Hill teenager Marissa DiNapoli received support from a surprising source outside the Santa Clara County Hall of Justice in San Jose this week.
The 18-year-old woman’s boyfriend, Martin Mendoza, is charged with first-degree murder and he made his first court appearance Tuesday. Following Mendoza’s brief court appearance, DiNapoli’s friends and family talked to a dozen news reporters gathered outside the courthouse. In the middle of a news conference, DiNapoli’s sister, Monice Ramirez, heard inmates shouting from a jail’s outdoor exercise yard next door.
The inmates were curious about the news conference, which included District Attorney Jeff Rosen. Walking closer toward the jail, Ramirez held a large poster over her head with the young homicide victim’s photograph. Inmates began shouting, “Justice for Marissa! Justice for Marissa!”
The sister shouted back and told inmates who DiNapoli’s alleged killer was. Ramirez yelled out “Martin Mendoza!”…