Pedro A. Bravo will face capital murder and kidnapping charges for his alleged connection in the murder and disappearance of a missing UF student.
An Alachua County grand jury indicted Bravo, 18, on the charges during a meeting late Monday afternoon, according to court records from the Alachua County Clerk of Courts.
The 21-person jury also ruled that Bravo would continue to be held in Alachua County Jail without bond for both charges, said Spencer Mann, chief investigator at the State Attorney’s Office.
Mann said Bravo and his attorneys will be advised of the new charges.
“Once that’s done, then we will move into the preparation phase for trial,” he said. “And we’ll see exactly what position the defense counsel for the defendant will take.”
The indictment came about two weeks after Christian Aguilar went missing.
Police initially named Bravo as a person of interest in the case, and he has been in jail since Sept. 24.
He was charged with first-degree murder Sept. 28.
Mann said the prosecution presented the jury with evidence Monday to determine whether a crime was committed and to take the case to trial.
“In this particular case, they voted to indict Mr. Bravo in murder,” he said.
Mann said the state attorney can obtain a murder conviction without a body.
“It takes a few more steps,” he said. “Clearly, the burden is on the state to prove the case and that the defendant killed the victim.”
Mann added thatt the next court event for Bravo will be arraignment, which will “take place in a few weeks.” During that time, Bravo will plead guilty, not guilty or no contest.
After Bravo presents his plea, Mann said the trial will not start any time soon.
With the prosecution and defense working on the case and the search for Aguilar reaching its 20th day, volunteers and police are determined to find the missing student.
Carlos Aguilar, Christian Aguilar’s father, said he plans to drive back to Miami on Wednesday for the first time since his son disappeared.
Although the trip home will give Carlos Aguilar, 45, time to bring up more supplies and help, he said he will return Friday.
“I’m not happy going back right now without my son,” he said.
Contact Chris Alcantara at calcantara@alligator.org.
