Article 12 – 'Rita Morgan's Tragic Death'

Miami Daily Herald Newspaper article, written by reporter Mike RePort, 2/17/10

"Dexter Morgan, Confessed Serial Killer, Commits Suicide"

"Interviews with his Colleagues and Family"

Through the process of investigating and publishing this continuing series of articles this reporter has found a much greater appreciation for the difficulties that the Law Enforcement Community has to deal with on a daily basis to do their jobs! I am humbled by their persistent drive and relentless pursuit of the facts wherever these facts may lead them. This case has proven to me that our very own MMPD has what it takes to enforce the law as we, the citizens of this community, would expect.

One of the Detectives involved in this case that was brought in at the time of the actual arrest of Dexter Morgan is Sgt. Angel Batista. As reported in my previous article Sgt. Batista and Lt. LaGuerta were recently married and Sgt. Batista will be promoted to Lieutenant and take over Homicide as the unit commander on March 1st. This interview took place at the MMPD's Homicide headquarters in what will soon be Sgt. Batista's new office.

In preparing for this one on one interview I had the opportunity to speak with his colleagues and found that there is more to Sgt. Batista than just a man with a job to attend to. He is a man with a passion for life that not only his work reflects in various ways but infects those around him as well. Each individual that I spoke with felt a closeness to him that went beyond the job. I also felt this during the course of our interview. Sgt. Batista was relaxed and very open in his responses to my questions.

MR – Sgt. Batista, may I call you Angel for this interview?

Sgt. AB – No problem.

MR – Thank you, Angel. As I did with Lt. LaGuerta I want to thank you for granting me this interview. This can not be easy for you knowing that you worked with Dexter Morgan for so many years. I know you were brought in for the actual arrest with only a few moments notice. What was your initial reaction?

Sgt. AB – It hit me hard right in the gut. Not just me but everyone. We all stood there staring at Maria with our mouths open with blank stares. I couldn't believe what I had just heard. Dexter Morgan, a suspected Serial Killer and all of us would be going out to make the arrest with the FBI in a few minutes! No way, couldn't be. Someone had made a mistake. Someone had planted evidence maybe, I don't know, it just didn't make any sense.

Maria waited a moment before going on, to let us calm down, then she told us that it was better for us to be there so that no one would get hurt. She told us that the investigation had been going on for about four weeks and tonight was the night. She would be able to fill us in on the details once we got back to the station but right then we needed to step up and do our jobs.

I'm sorry, give me a moment.

MR comment – At this point Angel became emotional but after a moment continued on.

Sgt. AB – At that moment in the briefing room Deb lost it. Detective Quinn had to grab her to keep her from going after Maria. The next few minutes were pretty bad. We found out later that Maria had just told Deb in private what was going on and Deb had not handled it well at all but had calmed down. But when Maria made the announcement to the team Deb really lost it. We were all pretty much floored, but Deb, my god.

It took all of us to get her to calm down and buy into the idea of the team going out together to make the arrest. She became very protective of Dexter at that point and at the yard again when she spoke to the FBI. Did I say "spoke"? We knew that she would do everything she could to make sure no one would overreact during the arrest. No one did thank god.

Those few moments from first hearing what was going on to the time we left the station changed all of us. I have never been so caught up in the moment as I was that night. I remember feeling light headed then really pissed off. Time seemed to stand still then fast forward. That briefing was a nightmare.

MR – I can't even imagine how you all felt at that moment but for you to have gone through that and be able to talk about it now is commendable to say the least. We all now know what Dexter Morgan was. Having said that can you tell us about the Dexter Morgan that you knew prior to his arrest?

Sgt. AB – It's difficult now to separate the two people in my mind. One person was a friend, a compadre. He was a man that I could confide in and ask for advice from and feel comfortable around. The other person I don't know and it's still difficult to even imagine that he was that other person. The two are one, I know, but for me one is real and the other is not. To truly answer your question would mean that I have to tell you about years of experiences that formed our bond as men, as professionals, as compadres. I just know that whatever caused him to be what he was, was not his fault.

MR – What overall effect has this experience had on your life?

Sgt. AB – I have taken the time to reflect on what is important to me as a man, a husband, a father, a friend, and a cop. That process is a never ending one, I know, but I can answer your question with what I know right now.

I am a man first that has had his very foundation shaken by this tragedy. I have come to terms with the fact that I can only control myself, not others. I believe in myself as a man and can now carry the burden of Dexter Morgan's memory.

As a husband I live for the moment to be as good as I can to my wife for our time together is so beautiful. As we now know life is short and every moment counts.

I am now closer to my daughter with our renewed relationship. My love for her has grown and I will not let her drift away from me again.

As a friend I offer myself to those that will accept me as I am. I can not do more than that.

As a Detective, a cop, I know that the first priority is to be safe and protect my team from harm as we do what we do. I will enforce the law to protect our community to make our city a safer place to live.

MR – Is there anything else that you would like to add?

Sgt. AB – The last month has been a difficult time for everyone on our team. We will be looking for a new Forensics Expert and it will be my responsibility to keep the team together and working smoothly. I believe I have everyone's support for this. This tragic event has taught us to not take anything for granted.

MR – Thank you, Angel, for your candor and sharing your feelings with our readers about something that has affected you so deeply, thank you again.

As you, the reader, can see, Sgt. Angel Batista is a man with deep passion for his work and those around him. He is a good man and we are lucky to have him in our community. My next interview will be with Detective Joey Quinn followed by Vincent Masuka the Forensics Expert with the Homicide Department. My last interview will be with Detective Debra Morgan.

Article 12 – 'Rita Morgan's Tragic Death'