Insanity defense? Trial date set for man accused of stabbing neighbor, her three dogs to death in Savannah

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - A judge set a jury trial for March of 2027 for a man charged with killing his neighbor and her three dogs after no plea was entered during a Friday court hearing.

Cristhian Almendares-Perez is charged with malice murder and 3 counts of aggravated cruelty to animals in connection with the March 2025 death of his neighbor, Rosalinda Garcia, and her three pets.

Plea hearing turns into trial date setting

Almendares-Perez, wearing an orange jumpsuit, appeared alongside his attorney in court Friday. He previously entered a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity, which was brought up during the hearing.

The state is not consenting to that defense, so the judge set a jury trial for March of next year.

Almendares-Perez’s attorney told the judge his client is competent and said he has had no issues communicating with his client.

What happened

Savannah Police said Rosalinda Garcia was found stabbed at a home in the 10,000 block of Middleground Road in March of last year. She died at a hospital from her injuries. Investigators said her three dogs were also stabbed to death.

Garcia, 42, of Savannah, had lived in Savannah for 24 years and had two children she leaves behind.

Almendares-Perez is being held on an ICE detainer at the Chatham County Jail, and is currently in protective custody.