Reports that former V.I. Police Department Capt. Enrique Saldana is currently fighting for his life at Roy L. Schneider Hospital on St. Thomas after being stabbed in prison are “not accurate,” according to Government House officials.
“He remains in the custody of the Bureau of Corrections unharmed,” said Government House spokesman Jean Greaux Jr. on Thursday.
Since his arrest on May 2, Saldana has been detained on second-degree murder, manslaughter and assault charges pending a bail hearing that will determine whether he violated his current parole conditions. Saldana was found guilty in 2011 of extortion and conspiracy and was sentenced to 41 months in jail.
While he had been released from prison, he was still on supervisory release, according to testimony provided during Saldana’s recent advice of rights hearing in V.I. Magistrate Court.
Now charged with murdering his wife, Saldana could go back to jail or be subject to other conditions set by a judge, including home confinement.
Court documents indicate that Saldana called 911 dispatchers early on May 2 to report that his wife, Jeanette Magras-Saldana, was no longer breathing. According to a police affidavit, Magras-Saldana’s body was badly bruised; it appeared that her windpipe was crushed and that she also had a dislocated jaw.
After bringing his wife to the hospital, Saldana was taken to the police station. There, he waived his rights and did a recorded interview with police. In his statement, Saldana recounted a series of events that ended with the couple heading to Vessup Beach for a morning swim. Coming out of the water, Saldana told police Magras-Saldana appeared to have fallen and, while helping her to the car, Saldana noticed that she appeared unable to speak, according to the affidavit written by Police Detective Jose Allen.
According to his statement, Saldana attempted to perform CPR and then went to a nearby grocery store to call for help. Police obtained a search warrant for his home, where blood was found in two rooms, the affidavit said.
Saldana is expected to enter his plea during an arraignment and bail hearing set for May 22.
