The father and son accused of killing a Nova Southeastern professor were in court Wednesday where they pleaded not guilty to first degree murder charges.
Randy Tundidor Sr. and son Randy Tundidor Jr., who also face robbery, kidnapping and arson charges, both entered their pleas in a Broward County Courtroom.
Tundidor Sr., 43, and Tundidor Jr., 21, were arrested for the murder of Dr. Joseph Morrissey, killed during a April 6 home invasion at the Morrissey family's house in Plantation.
Police said Tundidor Sr. was a tenant of Dr. Morrissey's who had been involved in a dispute involving a personal injury lawsuit. Just four days before the murder, Dr. Morrissey had sent Tundidor a letter stating that he was in default of security deposits.
Morrissey's wife Linda told police that Tundidor Sr. may have known eviction proceedings were going to take place.
Just before midnight April 6, an armed intruder broke into the Morrissey home, forcing the couple to drive them to an ATM to withdraw $500. The robber or robbers tied the couple up, stabbed Dr. Morrissey, then set the house on fire.
Linda Morrissey and the couple's son escaped, but Dr. Morrissey was found dead on the back porch.
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According to an arrest affidavit, Tundidor Sr. was enraged that Morrissey was going to evict him. "Joe the landlord f---ed with me, he f---ed with the wrong one and wants to put us on the streets," Randy Sr. told his other son, Shawn, according to the affidavit.
Shawn Tundidor told police his father had confessed to the murder, though he later denied the statements.
Both Tundidors have spent the past month and a half in Broward County jails. Their next court appearance is scheduled for June 11.
Morrissey, 46, was a science professor at NSU who worked on cancer research. He is survived bu his wife and a 5-year-old son.
