Patient claims self defense in choking, death of roommate at Mount Sinai in Miami Beach

Police found 55-year-old Alejandro Ortega dead in the bathroom of his room at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach, Fla., on Saturday, according to the Miami Herald.

Miami Beach police arrived at the hospital about 7 p.m. on Saturday. Mr. Ortega's son, who was upset that hospital staff would not tell him where his father was, met them at the door of the hospital.

Police found Mr. Ortega dead in the blood-splashed bathroom of his room in the psychiatric health unit of the hospital.

Around the corner from the room is a TV lounge, where police said they found Mr. Ortega's roommate 23-year-old Andre Brown. When Mr. Brown saw the officers, police said he put his hands behind his back and said, "It was self defense. I had to do it."

In an arrest report, police say Mr. Brown told authorities he struck Mr. Ortega numerous times after Mr. Ortega tried to touch his penis. He hit Mr. Ortega more than 20 times before he began chocking him, according to the report.

Police arrested Mr. Brown and charged him with second-degree murder. Police found Mr. Brown had an outstanding warrant on drug charges, as well.

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