Prosecutor, defense rests in Nicole Montalvo murder case

KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Both the prosecution and defense have now rested their evidence, according to the judge presiding over the trail of Christopher Otero-Rivera and Angel Rivera.

Christopher Otero-Rivera and his father, Angel Rivera, are charged with manslaughter in the death of Otero-Rivera’s estranged wife in Osceola County.

Before the trial of two men accused of the murder and breakup of Nicole Montalvo in 2019 resumed Tuesday, the judge fired a juror who he said slept multiple times during the proceedings.

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The judge said Juror No. 16 was fired from the case and would be replaced by an alternate juror who has been attentive throughout the proceedings.

The state put its case to rest at around 3 p.m. on Tuesday, but before they did, jurors heard from a former Otero-Rivera prison mate.

The former prison mate said they had many conversations in the eight months he was in the same prison with Otero-Rivera. He said Otero-Rivera said he wanted to kill Nicole Montalvo.

When asked if Otero-Rivera ever talked about specific ways to kill her, his former prison mate said Otero-Rivera was talking about a car bomb.

A second prison mate was also called to testify, saying that Otero-Rivera had spoken about getting out of prison and killing Montalvo.

But the focus wasn’t just on Otero-Rivera, judges also heard from a neighbor who said he lives diagonally across from Rivera’s estate, saying he had a worrying conversation with Angel Rivera.

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The neighbor said Rivera offered him $ 10,000 to kill Montalvo.

Before the defense began calling witnesses, Otero-Rivera and his father both said they would not take the stand.

The defense did not call Wanda Rivera as a witness until late this afternoon. She is Angel’s wife and Christopher’s mother.

The trial is expected to resume tomorrow morning at 9am

33-year-old Montalvo was reported missing in October 2019 after not picking up her 8-year-old son from school. Her dismembered remains were later found buried on property of the Riveras. Otero-Rivera and Montalvo had a son together, but they were divorced at the time of her death.