Threat on Voice Mail of Homicide Victim

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Florida (Any really)

So I'm writing a story (I will not give out what it's about to protect it) but there is a scene where they find a text message in the murder victim's phone saying, "You're dead." He is questioned but says that it was merely a warning and not a threat. What would happen to the suspect then? Would they arrest him, would they let him go? Charge him? What?

Mind you the murderer left no evidence to link him to anyone.

Hi,

Good luck with your story. We are here to help people who have commited crimes and need assistance. We're not here for research purposes.

Besides, you really haven't given us enough to work with.

The phrase alone would not be sufficient to make an arrest for much of anything, much less for murder. It would certainly give the police some reason to look at the sender to see if he might be good for it.

If the text was sent after the person died, it's simply an expression of fact. ;)

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Quoting Mr. Knowitall

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If the text was sent after the person died, it's simply an expression of fact. ;)

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Haha, it was sent before the murder but she either ignores it or doesn't pick up her cellphone in time.

Also, wouldn't the police question him on how he knew she would be murdered, who warned him, etc?

Also, couldn't the family press charges on him? On what can they press charges for?

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Quoting Jonathan A. Ronda

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Also, wouldn't the police question him on how he knew she would be murdered, who warned him, etc?

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Probably.

Quote:

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Quoting Jonathan A. Ronda

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Also, couldn't the family press charges on him? On what can they press charges for?

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Ummm...no.

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Quoting Jonathan A. Ronda

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Also, wouldn't the police question him on how he knew she would be murdered, who warned him, etc?

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Almost certainly ... assuming they could access her voice mail.

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Also, couldn't the family press charges on him? On what can they press charges for?

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For what? The comment would certainly make him a person of interest in her killing, but by itself there could be no criminal charge to be had.

And the family cannot press charges - only the DA can do that.

Couldn't the family file a Wrongful Death suit, where less evidence is required? though of course knowing they may win and never collect a dime

Think Estates of Ron Goldmen/Nicole Brown suing OJ Simpson. The criminal case was lost. The Wrongful Death case was won....