July 1, 2005 – Charges against Steven Matta, a 45-year-old resident of Mon Bijou, are being upgraded from first-degree assault to involuntary manslaughter and possession of an unlicensed firearm, according to Sgt. Thomas Hannah, public information officer for the V.I. Police Department.
Aurelia Torres of Estate Whim died on June 23 from a gunshot wound to the abdomen received on June 19.
Matta was originally charged with first-degree assault. After he was unable to post a $75,000 bond, he was remanded to the Golden Grove Correctional facility, where he was still located on Friday.
Hannah said that police were investigating the report that the gun went off while Matta was cleaning it, but there are inconsistencies in that report.
Torres died at San Luis Hospital, and her funeral was Thursday.
Hannah said the incident is being classified as a "domestic incident."
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