The Murder of Richard Rojas
For this case, I watched an episode of I’d Kill For You. It’s season 3 episode 2, titled ‘Killing Me Softly.’
A murder plot is revealed after the death of a teenager.
Background
Richard Rojas’ life changed the moment he met Christin Bilotti at the movies. The two became involved quickly, and had dated for about two years. Richard became very close to Christin’s family, and would even spend weekends at their home and church.
Richard was described as very attractive, well-dressed, respectful, and kind.
Richard Rojas
The Allegations
In 2005, Christin decided to end things with Richard. She then met another boy named Eddie, who was a musician like her. She did stay in contact with Richard, but told people that he wouldn’t stop calling her.
On July 12, 2005, Christin’s mom, Louise, walked into her home. She found Christin and Richard having an argument. He wasn't supposed to be in the home without her there, so she told him to leave.
Christin would later say that Richard returned uninvited. Christin drove to pick Eddie up a few hours later than she had planned. That’s when she revealed to him that Richard had raped her. She said he grabbed her by the arm, threw her down, and assaulted her.
Later that evening, Christin confessed to her mom what had happened. She told her mom not to tell her dad Michael, but it was too late, because her brother had overheard the entire conversation.
Michael Bilotti was rumored to have ties with the mob. He always had an entourage. Michael showed up at his ex-wife’s home with two men, John Pacchiana, and Wayne Palazolla.
Self-Defense or Murder?
When Michael showed up at the house, Christin told him that Richard would probably be coming back over. However, hours passed, and he didn't arrive. Christin went upstairs to her room, and found a CD on her bed. She told her family that the CD hadn’t been there earlier, and that Richard was somewhere lurking outside.
Wayne drove Christin, her brother, and Eddie to Michael’s house, while John stayed behind with Louise. Louise received a call from Richard, and soon heard two men arguing around 1:30am. She also heard several shots.
Minutes later the police showed up. They had been told that someone had tried to break into the house. Richard Rojas had been shot twice, and was pronounced dead at the scene.
John was questioned. He told the police that Richard had arrived, and said he needed to talk to Christin. John said the two threw punches, and that Richard told him that he hit like a bitch. John said he started to walk away, when he felt something cold on the back of his head. John said he was able to reach into the home, and grab his gun. He then shot twice.
The police never found any weapon on Richard.
The Truth Comes Out
The police originally believed it was a case of self-defense. That was until they spoke to Richard’s family, and looked further into the evidence.
Richard’s family couldn’t believe the allegations that the Bilotti family was making. Richard would have never raped anyone, and he was never arrested or looked into for any criminal activity. The Rojas’ told the police that Christin was the one who was obsessed with Richard, and that she was constantly calling their home.
A rape test was done. Richard’s DNA was found on Christin, but there was no trauma found. It looked more like it was consensual sex.
Richard’s phone records were also looked into. They confirmed that Richard and Christin were still in constant contact, and that it wasn’t one sided like Christin had originally claimed.
The police didn't have any concrete proof that Richard’s death was anything more than self-defense.
Eddie’s Story
Years passed, and by April 2006, Christin was doing drugs, and drinking heavily. She agreed to go to rehab in July 2006, and she and Eddie parted ways.
In January 2008, Eddie was now living in another part of Florida. The police went to speak to him, and he agreed to tell them what he knew.
He said that Michael had planned to kill Richard, when he learned of what he did to Christin.
Eddie said Richard had called Christin in the car, as they were on their way to Michael’s. Wayne and Christin were telling him to egg Richard on, so that he would go back to Louise’s house.
Richard did show up at Louise’s. He was angry, but unarmed. The police now believed that Richard had already been down on his knees as the second shot was fired.
Christin’s Revenge
One of Richard’s friends revealed that Richard had gone on a first date with another woman on the day he died. He had called his friend Vanessa, and told her that it went really well.
He had gone to Christin’s that day to end things with her. Christin placed a call to him after he left the first time. The two had sex, but Richard was determined to end things with her. Christin then said that Richard had assaulted her, and made up the other allegations against him.
The police discovered that Christin had been the one who called Richard at 1am, while they were in the car. Richard had gone over to Louise’s because he wanted to clear his name. He was angry that Christin was accusing him of so many things.
The Convictions
Michael, Christin, John and Wayne, were all indicted for first degree murder and conspiracy to commit first degree murder.
Wayne Palazolla pleaded guilty to accessory to first degree murder. He was credited for time served, and given 10 years of probation.
Michael Bilotti and John Pacchiana were both found guilty, and sentenced to life in prison.
Christin Bilotti was convicted of second degree murder, and sentenced to 30 years.
Eddie and Louise were never charged.
Christin Bilotti
Michael Bilotti
Wayne Palazolla
John Pacchiana
Other
In 2018, all three convictions were overturned. New trial were ordered for Michael, Christin, and John because a Jehovah Witness had been on the jury.
The lawyer for all three defendants, Fred Haddad, said that the Florida Supreme Court are looking into it. He also hopes that it will be presented to the U.S. Supreme Court.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I just want to disclose that while Christin lied about many things, but she could be telling the truth about being sexually assaulted. I never want to say anyone is lying about that, unless it has been 100% proven. She claims to this day that Richard did assault her. However, Richard is not here anymore to clear his name.
What Christin and her family did is horrific, and they all deserve to be in prison for a long time.
Sources
https://www.falserapetimeline.org/false-rape-4481.pdf
https://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/fl-sb-bilotti-convictions-overturned-20180214-story.html
https://www.local10.com/news/2015/05/27/jury-begins-deliberating-in-bilotti-murder-trial/
https://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/fl-bilotti-day-3-20150506-story.html
