Hollywood severed head case: Defendant had romantic relationship with victim

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Gabriel Campos Martinez is on trial for a gruesome crime: the murder of his roommate, Hervey Medellin. According to the prosecution, they had a romantic relationship.

Medellin was last seen in December 2011. A few weeks later, some of his body parts were found in Griffith Park. A dog walker testified she found a human head and called the authorities. Park ranger Patrick Joyce was the first on scene.

Coroner investigator Courtney Morrow Castellino told the jury a cadaver dog led them to a shallow hole where they found more remains.

"Upon further digging of the hole, I saw plastic bags in it, which contained a hand and two feet," Castellino testified.

She testified that the hand and feet were in a plastic bag from the 99 Cents Only store. Prosecutors say Martinez had the same bags in their apartment.

Medellin's niece, Chris Medellin Serrano, was in the courtroom as the grim findings were presented as evidence.

"To have somebody's head severed, their hands and feet severed, I mean, who does that? He has to be a monster," Serrano said. "My family and I are in great sorrow. ... We miss his smile. We miss his presence."

The defense maintains there's no direct evidence linking his client to the murder, and that the prosecution's case is based on theories, not proof.

On Friday, the jury will hear from experts who will testify about the tools they believe were used to dismember Medellin's body.