Jose Santiago, boyfriend of murder victim Jessica Rojas, arrested by Spfld police

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - A courtroom altercation has delayed the arraignment of Jose Santiago, who is charged with the murder of his girlfriend, Jessica Rojas.

Santiago, 30, who was wanted for allegedly killing the 25 year-old Rojas , was arrested Monday morning about 8:30 at the rear of 759 Chestnut Street, according to Sgt. John Delaney.

Delaney told 22News that Santiago appeared to be trying to enter Baystate Medical Center at the time he was picked up by detectives in the warrant apprehension unit. Police had been on a manhunt for Santiago all weekend long.

Delaney says Santiago was arrested without incident.

It was early Saturday morning when police found Rojas' body inside her home at 132 Washburn Street, in the city’s Brightwood section.

According to Delaney, she was stabbed multiple times in a domestic-related assault.

Rojas was stabbed to death just hours after celebrating her birthday. There were witnesses who saw Santiago stab Rojas and run out the back door, Delaney said. The murder weapon has been found by police.

Santiago was scheduled for arraignment Monday afternoon on a charge of murder Monday in Springfield District Court, but the arraignment was delayed due to an altercation in the courtroom. It remains unclear whether arraignment will continue Monday.

Outside the courtroom, 22News  spoke with family members of Jessica Rojas spoke about the mother of four, who worked at Springfield City Hall as a legal assistant.

"She was strong, hard worker and always tried to help everybody out as much as she could, kept everyone on the right track, and my family and I are just happy that justice is getting served," said Rojas' cousin, Daisy Aviles.

Rojas is Springfield's third homicide victim of 2012.

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