Boyfriend pleads not guilty to murdering Ansonia woman

A man pleaded not guilty Tuesday in the murder of his girlfriend, who was killed before their daughter disappeared.

News 12 Staff

Feb 18, 2020, 12:00 PM

Updated 1,535 days ago

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A man pleaded not guilty Tuesday in the murder of his girlfriend, who was killed before their daughter disappeared.
Jose Morales is charged with the murder of Christine Holloway, of Ansonia. Morales is also considered the primary suspect in the disappearance of Vanessa Morales.
The 43-year-old was arrested nearly two weeks ago. He is also charged with tampering with evidence.
In an arrest warrant, Morales claims he was on PCP when he was at Holloway's Ansonia apartment on Dec. 2. Police say Holloway was bludgeoned to death and found dead in her bathtub. They say Morales' hair was found entangled in Holloway's fingers from an apparent struggle and Holloway's blood was found on the bottom of his shoe.
His attorney today says they are awaiting discovery.
"We're going to provide them with two terrabites of external hard drive," said attorney Kevin Smith. "That's because there's voluminous discovery here which we're going to need a chance to review."
Both sides said they are working together to get two charges Morales has for possession of stun guns transferred from New Haven Superior Court and combined with the murder case.
The state's attorney told News 12 they have no comment on the case. They do want to remind the public that police are still looking for Morales' daughter, Vanessa Morales. Police say he was the last known person to be with her.
Morales is due back in court on March 5. He's being held on a $5 million bond.


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