Justice for Angelina Resendiz *Update*

I knew this was going to happen, but I have an update about Angelina Resendiz. The source is mainly WTKR Norfolk news. A former JAG officer turned criminal defense attorney, Patrick Korody, broke down the difference between a civilian court hearing and a military court hearing. He explained that in a military pretrial hearing, there is no amount of money that the sailor in custody could be released on. He went on to say that the hearing is more or less to evaluate whether or not a crime occurred, if the sailor likely committed that crime, if they pose a flight risk, and other factors. This is where they decide whether or not charges will be filed against him which would then lead to an Article 32 preliminary hearing or the civilian equivalent would be a grand jury hearing. According to NCIS, the Norfolk Medical Examiner’s Office is conducting the autopsy while NCIS continues to conduct their investigation and collect evidence. According to Korody, they’re likely issuing subpoenas, searching electronics, checking cellular data, interviewing witnesses and testing forensic evidence. On Monday, June 16th, Angelina’s mother, Esmerelda Castle spoke at Monday's hearing at Naval Consolidated Brig Chesapeake. I am simply going to read her statement at the hearing: Your Honor, My name is Esmeralda Castle, and I am the mother of Angelina Petra Resendiz. I speak to you today as the voice of my daughter—because she no longer has one. Angie was more than a service member. She was a light in this world. She was brave, kind, devoted to her shipmates and her country, and full of promise. But instead of building her future, I am standing in a courtroom, asking for justice on her behalf. The person responsible for this horrific loss made deliberate choices that ended Angie’s life. Their actions were not a mistake—they were a betrayal of trust, of duty, and of basic human decency. To even consider releasing them would add another injustice to an already unbearable tragedy. Offering any form of leniency would not only dishonor Angie’s memory—it would be a threat to public safety and a deep injustice to victims of violent crime. It would send the message that her life didn’t matter. But it did. It still does. Angie deserves justice. Our family deserves peace. And our community deserves protection. I am asking this Court to keep this individual confined, because of the severity of what was done—not just to Angie, but to all of us who loved her. We cannot change the past. But we can choose to prevent further harm. Please, do not let this preventable tragedy be repeated. Let justice stand. Thank you, Your Honor. While NCIS has not released the name of the sailor in custody, they did confirm that he was also stationed on the James E. Williams. He is not eligible to be released on bond and the government now has 120 days to arraign him and to formally lead the charges in front of a judge. Resources: JAG Officer Breaks Down Resendiz Case Castle's Statement at Hearing