body,td,th { font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; }
Joseph Budna - he was the victim of an attempted murder on Sunday night at his home in San Ignacio - while a 16 year old minor in his bedroom was killed.
Since then, the focus has not been so much on the death of a minor as much as it has been on the partners and lifestyle of Joseph Budna.
But, 16 year old Kelvin Hernandez is dead - and yesterday Budna told us that funding his killer should be the police's sole focus. Jules Vasquez reports on our interview with Budna - who was still recovering from a gunshot to the buttocks and knee:
Yesterday, my colleague Joe Marie Lanza and I interviewed Joseph Budna. His performance walked the line between melodrama and self absolution. But principally Budna was here to set the record straight after the commissioner of Police had contextualized the murder of a minor in a salacious setting.
Joseph Budna, Survived Murder Attempt
"They are not supposed to be looking if Budna is this or that. You need to focus on the investigation of the minor death and give me some sort of protection."
Budna says he still fears for his life.
Jules Vasquez:
"Do you feel that your life is still under threat from the individual who fired at your home?
Joseph Budna, Survived Murder Attempt
"Yes, I do believe because they hadn't made arrests as yet. But if it comes up, I have to defend myself Jules, I will do what I have to do when it comes to defending myself. Because they attempt against my life already. I'm not going out there looking for nobody. But if they come to the spot where I lay my head, I will need to defend myself in somewhere of some other."
"I cannot allow them to hurt me again. But I want the culprit to know that you had killed a minor innocently. You had done something absolutely wrong. And I know your conscience if you do have conscience. I hope you're handing yourself to the police and this young man gets some sort of justice."
But according to Budna the victim's family blames him wrongly because he insists he was only trying to help a 16 year old who had nowhere to sleep.
Joseph Budna, Survived Murder Attempt
"I just can't believe it. So I try not to think about it. The only thing I can think is when he was on the ground, asking for help. I call the police. I call my brother. I call the ambulance while I'm bleeding. And I don't know if the gunman is still out there Jules. So when I think about it, it's really hard."
"And I want the family to rest assured that I will assist with what I can. And the police to do their investigation."
Jules Vasquez:
Ultimately, this young man was killed because he was in your bedroom. You were the target. Is this something that do you blame yourself for his death?
Joseph Budna, Survived Murder Attempt
"Well, Jules, if I would have gone and pick him up and take him home, I would have feel much guiltier. But knowing that he arrived home and when he arrived home, he explained to me the situation he was facing. I can't leave him out, Jules. So I did it with a good heart. Not anybody Mr. Budna meets or Mr. Budna talks to the public should look at it as there is a sexual intercourse or there is something."
"So that means anybody, the commissioner, all those girls the commissioner come across means the commissioner is having sexual intercourse with them."
Jules Vasquez:
"But are creating a false equivalency. This young man was in your bedroom in a pair of boxers and shirtless."
Joseph Budna, Survived Murder Attempt
"He was not in a pair of boxers. He was in the short pants. No, sir. He had on his clothes, just as how he. Please don't."
And that exasperation extends to his dealings with police who want to lock him up based on this text message from the investigating officer. And the words of the commissioner of police yesterday.
Jules Vasquez:
"The conversation goes on and you tell her, why didn't you take my statement when I was at the hospital? And you are asking again for protection, she says. Do have a nice day, sir. Won't even have any more conversations with you via this means. I know exactly what I will do. What do you take that to mean?"
Joseph Budna, Survived Murder Attempt
"Well, I take it as utmost threat. Very unprofessional of the investigating officer. Because I at no time told her I will not give a statement, as a matter of fact. From this incident had occurred. I have been assisting I at the I am in my hospital bed. They hadn't asked me anything about no statement. I'm the one who had to bring it up to the investigating officer and tell them when the statement. She said when you when you feel good that you will give the statement."
"Yesterday we spoke about that because I was still in the hospital yesterday. And I told her before the week is up, I will be giving a statement."
The Commissioner has told his officers to detain Budna.
