Man allegedly stabbed nephew during fight in New Bedford

A 42-year-old man accused of murdering his nephew is accused of stabbing the 23-year-old during an argument that broke out at the couple's New Bedford apartment on Saturday, court records show.

Juan Padilla-Santana pleaded not guilty on Monday to the murder of his nephew, Omil Padilla-Corsino. His attorney, Edward Molari, said in a statement: “Based on all information gathered by authorities, it was Mr. Omil Padilla-Corsino (the alleged victim) who initiated the physical altercation with Mr. Padilla-Santana. This is clearly a case of self-defense and defense of others, and we expect the investigation will prove this.”

According to a police report, New Bedford police responded to a 911 call reporting the stabbing at the South Street apartment around 1:33 p.m. Saturday. While officers were en route, a second 911 call came in from a man who identified himself as the victim's uncle and said they had been having an argument.

According to the police report, the man did not provide any further information but “repeatedly called for an ambulance.”

At the scene, emergency responders found Padilla-Corsino in the apartment, apparently with multiple stab wounds. He was taken to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Padilla-Corsino lived in the apartment with his girlfriend Yaniksei Santos, with whom he was expecting a child, and her mother Yasira Rodriguez, who is dating his uncle, the police report said. Padilla-Santana had moved into the two-bedroom apartment from Puerto Rico just the week before.

According to the police report, Padilla-Corsino and Santos were planning to celebrate their baby shower on the day of the stabbing. Santos told officers that the 23-year-old told her he had a “bad feeling” about the day and didn't like having his uncle in the apartment. According to the police report, the young couple allegedly argued all morning long. At one point, Rodriguez allegedly told Padilla-Corsino that he would have to leave the apartment if he and her daughter “continued to bicker.”

Santos told police that Padilla-Corsino became angry and said he was paying rent and could not be evicted. The argument continued when Padilla-Santana came out of a bedroom.

“Padilla-Corsino said something like, 'If you're going to kick me out, I'll give you another reason,' while hitting Juan,” the police report said.

Mother and daughter tried to separate the two men. Santos told police that her friend was bleeding from his stomach.

Santos and Rodriguez both told police they did not see a knife during the altercation.

According to the police report, Santos told officers that Padilla-Santana and Padilla-Corsino had a fight in Puerto Rico several months ago.

After Saturday's stabbing, Padilla-Santana spoke to investigators and waived his Miranda rights, according to police. He told them he was in the bedroom he shared with Rodriguez, talking on the phone with his sister when he heard his nephew arguing with the two women. He told police he left the bedroom when his nephew struck him first in the side and then in the head.

“Juan did not know if Padilla-Corsino had a knife, but Juan denied having a knife at any time,” the police report states. “He said whatever happened to Padilla-Corsino happened because Juan was defending himself.”

Padilla-Santana told police he then saw a knife on the floor at the entrance to the bedroom, picked it up, placed it under a cloth and left it on a dressing table in his and Rodriguez's shared bedroom.

Police said they found the knife on the dressing table when they searched the apartment.

At his arraignment on Monday, Padilla-Santana was remanded in custody without bail. He will appear in court again on September 30 for a hearing.