ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – On May 19, 2023 Vergilio Aguilar-Mendez, an undocumented migrant from Guatemala as approached by St. Johns County Deputy Michael Kunovich outside a closed St. Augustine business.
During the confrontation Sgt. Michael Kunovich collapses and dies after being rushed to the hospital. Aguilar Mendez was charged with felony murder of a police officer and resisting arrest. Aguilar Mendez was charged with felony murder of a police officer and resisting arrest.
Nearly a week later St. Johns County Sheriff Rob Hardwick makes his first public comments saying Sgt. Kunovich’s made a " Textbook approach” to Aguilar-Mendez because Aguilar-Mendez was trespassing on a closed business.
The next day a Funeral for Kunovich was attended by hundreds of law enforcement officers.
It wasn’t for another two months until another development came in the case. On July 21, Aguilar Mendez’s lawyer filed a motion suggestion he’s not competent for prosecution. And several days later on July 25th the charges against Aguilar Mendez were amended to aggravated manslaughter of a police officer.
Six months after the initial incident we’re able to obtain bodycam video from Sgt. Kunovich of the confrontation between him and Aguilar Mendez. We see Aguilar-Mendez standing outside a closed St. Augustine business eating dinner and talking to his mother on the phone.
The video shows Sgt. Kunovich asking Aguilar-Mendez for ID and he doesn’t appear to understand.
About a month later, December 20th The St. Johns County Sheriff’s office releases a 44-page case report. In it we learn the medical examiner ruled Sgt. Kunovich died of natural causes due to heart disease.
The report stated that Sgt. Kunovich never complained about health issues and was not taking any prescription medication for his heart condition.
December 22nd a mental competency hearing is held for Aguilar Mendez.
On December 29th a judge rules Aguilar Mendez has educational, cultural and linguistic challenges that affect his capacity to proceed to trial. Effectively pausing criminal proceedings.
February 7, 2024 Aguilar Mendez’s criminal lawyer submits a motion to get the charges dropped.
And then finally today the State Attorney’s Office dismissed the charges against Aguilar-Mendez.
He will now be transferred to the custody of Homeland security to await his immigration hearing.