Father testifies about son’s final call as suspect seeks bond in Miami Beach high-rise murder case

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MIAMI — The suspect accused of throwing a man off a 25th floor balcony was back in court on Monday as he seeks to get bond.

Shackled while wearing an orange jail jumpsuit, Corey Hutterli, 37, of Parkland, sat in a Miami-Dade County courtroom flanked by attorneys.

He is accused of pushing Justin Zelin, 35, off a 25th-story balcony at the Akoya Condominium, located at 6365 Collins Ave. in Miami Beach on Feb. 15.

Surveillance video released by authorities showed the moment Zelin hit the ground, and how people quickly reacted and tried to help him.

Zelin’s father testified on Monday, speaking about his final phone call with his son.

“A few seconds went by, he said, ‘Help, help, help,’ and then the phone got disconnected and then I called back and I called back numerous times,” he said.

Police said Zelin called 911 and the dispatcher reportedly heard him telling Hutterli to get out of his apartment before what sounded like a struggle that led to Zelin plunging to the ground below.

Hutterli’s defense team has argued there was no eyewitness to any alleged act before Zelin’s death.

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Janine Stanwood

Janine Stanwood

Janine Stanwood is an Emmy award-winning reporter and anchor. She joined Local 10 News in February 2004 as an assignment editor.