Rochester, NY: Chicago man pleads not guilty in Rochester stabbing death

Victoria E. Freile – Staff writer
Local News – September 17, 2009 - 5:21am

Mario L. Blancas, 20, was charged with second-degree murder and second-degree kidnapping.
A Chicago man accused of fatally stabbing his ex-girlfriend’s aunt in the eye last night pleaded not guilty in City Court today.

Mario L. Blancas, 20, was charged with second-degree murder and second-degree kidnapping, both felonies, in connection with the incident, said Rochester Police Capt. Todd Baxter.

The victim — Ada Rivera, 39, of Rochester — died at Strong Memorial Hospital about 3:15 a.m. today.

Blancas is accused of stabbing Rivera during a dispute in an apartment at 105 Ambrose St., Apt. 4, at 8:48 p.m., according to City Court documents.

According to City Court documents, Blancas is also accused of forcing his former girlfriend, Bianca Jasmine Melendez, 24, into her car at knifepoint and forcing her drive away from the scene. The pair headed west in Interstate 490, toward Buffalo.

Blancas was apprehended at a gas station in Churchville by Monroe County sheriff’s deputies about 30 minutes later.

According to court documents, Melendez told Blancas that she needed to stop for gas. Upon arriving at a gas station, she claimed she needed to use a bank card to get money for gas, entered the station’s convenience store and asked the clerk for help, according to her statement to police. The clerk locked the door and called for help.

Rochester Police Officer LaRon Singletary said Melendez was not physically injured during the incident.

According to City Court documents, Blancas and Melendez started dating in July. Melendez told police that she recently ended the relationship.

According to court documents, Melendez lived at the Ambrose Street apartment and had returned to her apartment with Rivera last night to retrieve an item. Since the breakup, Melendez said she stayed at Rivera’s home.

When Melendez and Rivera entered the apartment, Blancas and Melendez’s cousin were at the apartment. According to his statement to police, Blancas had asked the cousin to take him there to retrieve an item.

Rivera and Blancas argued moments before he allegedly attacked her.

Melendez, her 17-year-old cousin and her 6-year-old son were all inside the residence at the time, according to Melendez’s statement to police. No other injuries were reported.

Rivera’s family said they are still trying to cope with what happened.


Nelson Sepulveda, 38, of Irondequoit, said the fatal stabbing was shocking from both sides.

“She was a very nice lady,” he said of his sister-in-law. “We never expected this to happen from this person — he was a nice guy.”

Sepulveda said neither the family nor police know what Blancas’ motive was in the stabbing.

Blancas today was remanded to the Monroe County Jail without bail. He is slated to return to court for a preliminary hearing at 11 a.m. Tuesday.

City Court Judge Stephen T. Miller also issued orders of protection for Melendez and a male witness.