The New Bedford man charged with murdering his girlfriend pleaded not guilty on Monday during his arraignment at a hospital where he was admitted for back injuries probably sustained while trying to flee from police, the Bristol district attorney’s office said.
A statement from the district attorney’s office said police charged Pedro DeSousa, 47, with murder Sunday after catching him jumping out the window of a second-floor bedroom where officers found the body of Rebecca Felteau, 33.
DeSousa was in a relationship with Felteau, who was also from New Bedford, the statement said.
“They were having an argument when the incident occurred,” said spokesman Gregg Miliote of the district attorney’s office.
Police received a 911 call for a domestic violence disturbance at 14 Ashland Place Sunday at about 6 a.m. When police officers arrived, they found DeSousa locked in his bedroom.
Once police entered the room, they saw DeSousa jumping out of the window and found Felteau’s body, the district attorney’s office said.
Police caught DeSousa a short way down the street, where he was hiding under a car, according to the statement.
He was taken to St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford for back injuries.
DeSousa will appear in court April 24 for a pretrial hearing, Miliote said.
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