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Belleville Man Charged with Killing Girlfriend Over Text Messages, Indicted

Belleville

A four-count indictment was returned, charging Pedro Lora-Pena, 42, with murder, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and desecration of human remains.

According to authorities, Lora-Pena admitted killing his girlfriend when she wouldn't stop texting another man during a car ride home, during a detention hearing in Newark.

He allegedly told authorities that as they drove home from the Bronx, Pedro tried taking Diana's Boggio's phone, but she wouldn't give it to him. That allegedly led Lora-Pena to shoot her three times.

After his arrest Lora-Pena in February, he ultimately led police officers to Boggio's Honda Accord, where he police found her body stuffed in the trunk.

Lora-Pena's attorney unsuccessfully tried to get the case dismissed, alleging that the incident occurred in the Bronx and not in New Jersey, therefore court system lacks jurisdiction in the case. However, because Boggio's body was found in Newark, Lora-Pena remained incarcerated authorities said.

Lora-Pena's arraignment is scheduled for May 22 before Superior Court Judge Ronald D. Wigler in Newark.

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