Man accused in girlfriend’s death still recovering from balcony jump

By Cara McCoy

Monday, March 1, 2010 | 11:19 a.m.

A Las Vegas man who police say in December killed his live-in girlfriend, then jumped from the balcony of his apartment and into a concrete pool area is still recovering from his injuries, his attorney told a judge today.

Prosecutors are waiting until Benjamin Farrey, 29, is well enough that he can sit through a preliminary hearing expected to last at least a couple of hours before one is scheduled. A status check on setting the hearing was scheduled for April 8 in front of Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Eric Goodman.

Farrey is accused of killing his live-in girlfriend, Mandi Rose Perez, 28, who was found dead by Metro Police at about 3 a.m. Dec. 13. She had neck trauma, possibly caused by a sharp instrument, police said. The Clark County Coroner’s Office said Perez died of multiple sharp force injuries and ruled her death a homicide.

Police responded to Farrey’s apartment in the 3700 block of Swenson Street after receiving a phone call from a woman who identified herself as Farrey’s former fiancée. The woman, who said she lived in New York, told police Farrey had contacted her and told her he had hurt his girlfriend.

When police arrived at the apartment, they found Farrey, bloody, on the concrete pool area below his apartment. An infant was found unharmed inside the home in a playpen.

Farrey was taken to Sunrise Hospital, where he was admitted in critical condition. He remained at the hospital for several weeks. At a hearing today, Farrey’s attorney, Kristina Wildeveld, said Farrey has been moved to the Clark County Detention Center. He is working to regain the use of his legs, she said.

Farrey is being held without bond.