Cops: Suspect in Trindade death arrested in new case

One of the suspects charged in the death of high school student Roger Trindade was arrested in a separate case earlier this week, according to Winter Park police.

Police arrested the 16-year-old boy Sunday after another juvenile accused him of battery at Ward Park.

The victim suffered “significant” but not life-threatening injuries to the head, police say.

The suspect was taken to jail Sunday where he remains, police said. They declined to release more details about the incident.

The suspect was under house arrest for his alleged role in Roger Trindade’s death. He and another boy, 17, are slated to go on trial next month on manslaughter charges. Another boy pleaded no contest to charges of battery and witness tampering in connection with the case.

The Orlando Sentinel is not naming the teens because they are juveniles.

They are accused of fatally beating Roger at Central Park on Park Avenue in downtown Winter Park in October 2016.

The incident began when a teenager sprayed a foul scent on Roger and his friend, according to court testimony.

The suspects showed up later. One of the suspects punched Roger, causing him to fall, police said. The other suspect kicked Roger while he was on the ground, police say.

Roger, who came with his family from Brazil to Baldwin Park in January 2016, was on life support for two days before he died. He attended Winter Park High School.

An autopsy revealed Roger died of blunt force trauma to the head and his death was ruled a homicide.

Attorneys for the suspects filed a stand your ground motion, saying Roger and his friend were looking for a fight. But a judge denied it, saying the suspects were the ones who initiated the fight.