A man appeared in court Tuesday and was charged with two counts of capital murder after he was arrested Friday for allegedly killing his wife and 2-month-old baby.
Algernon Fitzgerald Rieux, 26, was arrested the day after his wife, Jacqueline Montoya, and newborn son, Joshua Eli-King Rieux, were found dead at their LA apartment on June 4 by Rieux’s mother.
He was charged with two counts of capital murder that include a special circumstance allegation of multiple murders.
Neighbors of the couple told NBC4 that Rieux had attacked Montoya in previous domestic violence incidents, including one when he choked her. He spent some time behind bars after that incident, they said.
Rieux could face the death penalty, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office. Whether or not the death penalty will be pursued will be determined at a later date.
When he was arrested, detectives described Rieux as bi-polar, possibly suicidal and under the influence of methamphetamine.
His arraignment, originally scheduled for Tuesday afternoon, was postponed to June 13 at 8:30 a.m., because Rieux did not have an assigned public defender.
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Rieux will be held without bail until then.
