Fall River man pleads not guilty in murder of Jessenia Simmons

A 33-year-old Fall River man pled not guilty after being charged with Murder in connection to the death of 45-year-old Jessenia Simmons of New Bedford.

Angelo O. Leo appeared in Newport County Court this morning as a fugitive of justice and waived rendition in Rhode Island. He was then transported to Fall River District Court for arraignment on the Murder charge this afternoon.

Fall River Police responded to the Globe Car Wash on Broadway Monday after receiving a 911 call just after 12:30 p.m. regarding a potential shooting.

When first responders arrived on scene, they found Simmons already deceased in one of the car wash bays.

Leo initially fled from the scene of the shooting in a vehicle, according to authorities, but turned himself in to police in Tiverton, RI about a half-hour later.

Leo is accused of sending threatening text messages to Simmons before a confrontation in the bay of the car wash. Video surveillance allegedly shows the two in an altercation before Leo stabbed the victim. When she attempted to escape, she was allegedly shot by Leo.

Both Leo and Simmons had a previous romantic relationship according to friends and she had recently renewed a restraining order against Leo.

Leo was held without bail until his next court appearance.