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Slain Filipina's husband pleads not guilty to murder

World

Slain Filipina's husband pleads not guilty to murder

By Jaleen Ramos

A Filipino-American accused of stabbing his wife in a domestic disturbance at their home in San Diego, California pleaded not guilty to murder on Wednesday.

Rhona Barcelon (Photo from GoFundMe Page/ MANILA BULLETIN)

Jay Barcelon, 31, was accused in the killing of his 30-year-old wife Rhona Barcelon at their residence in Lemon Grove last April 16, the San Diego County Sheriff's Department reported.

The report said deputies heard screaming inside the house and forced their way in and found both Barcelon and his wife with stab wounds.

"Deputies forced entry into the residence and their immediate intervention stopped any further assault. Deputies provided medical aid to Rhona and Jay until relieved by fire personnel," the sheriff's office said in a statement on April 17.

Authorities alleged that Barcelon stabbed the victim while sustaining injuries himself.

Rhona was brought to the hospital but was declared dead on arrival due to serious injuries.

Jay underwent surgery and was later arrested for murder. He remains in custody without bail.

(Photo from GoFundMe Page/ MANILA BULLETIN)

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help Rhona with funeral expenses and to help her two children financially.

One of Rhona's sisters said the family moved to the United States from the Philippines in the early 2000s, ABC10 news reported.

Rhona was a certified nursing assistant at Sharp Coronado and wanted to become a nurse, she added.

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