Man arrested for murder of stepfather, arrested twice before murder in Cobb County – WSB-TV Channel 2

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According to police, Duarte is accused of attacking and killing Delmar Mejia. He stabbed him several times in the face and then slit his throat on July 17.

Channel 2 Action News spoke to neighbors who live near Cardell Road in Austell who said Duarte was often high and causing trouble.

Neighbors told Seiden they never thought Duarte was capable of such a heinous crime.

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“I was shocked when I realized he was killed,” one teenager told Seiden.

Channel 2 Action News was given permission to question her about her previous dealings with Duarte, but her mother asked us not to show her daughter’s face.

“He was always quiet and when he went outside he would just wander here and there,” the teenager said. “He caused a lot of trouble.”

This trouble caught the attention of the local police.

Jail records show Duarte was arrested on July 10 on an outstanding charge in Douglas County and spent 15 hours in jail.

The next day he was arrested for obstruction of justice and spent another two days in jail.

As police continue their investigation into the death, the family’s neighbors are turning their attention to Mejia.

He is remembered as a friendly man who greeted everyone with a smile, neighbors said Channel 2 Action News.

“The victim was a very nice guy and did nothing wrong,” said the neighbors.

Jail records show Duarte is being held without bail on charges of first-degree murder and aggravated assault.

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