Laura Garza's family pleads with suspect to speak out

The mother and brothers of missing Brooklyn woman Laura Garza arrived in Orange County Court Tuesday in hopes of facing the convicted sex offender suspected in Garza?s disappearance, only to be disappointed.

News 12 Staff

May 27, 2014, 9:45 PM

Updated 3,852 days ago

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The mother and brothers of missing Brooklyn woman Laura Garza arrived in Orange County Court Tuesday in hopes of facing the convicted sex offender suspected in Garza?s disappearance, only to be disappointed.
Michael Mele, who appeared in court for a hearing related to an alleged credit card fraud and probation violation, declined to respond to the Garzas? pleas to reveal the young woman?s whereabouts. Mele has not been charged in connection with Garza?s disappearance.
Garza was last seen over a month ago leaving a Manhattan nightclub in the company of Mele. Police later discovered that Mele?s Middletown apartment was wiped down with bleach and a piece of carpet was missing.
?If he's innocent, he didn't do anything, why he's hiding behind the law?? says Laura Garza?s brother Nicolas Garza.
Disappointed with their visit to the courthouse, Garza's family stopped off at the home of Mele?s parents in Newburgh. They knocked on the front door, but no one answered.
Before the Garzas took their leave, they attached a missing person poster showing Laura Garza?s smiling face to the Meles? door.
Mele is expected to appear again in court on charges unrelated to Garza?s disappearance in April.
For a press conference given by the family of Laura Garza, go to your digital cable box and select iO Extra, Channel 612.
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