Reynaldo Celaya is the previous prime suspect in the murder of his wife Marcela, who faked her death and framed Reynaldo for murder. Reynaldo planned with his brother and Marcela's new husband Rafael to kill her when he got out.
History[]
The Celaya brothers and Marcela all grew up in Newark, with Reynaldo originally being Marcela's husband. They were both unfaithful to each other, with Reynaldo having sex with a married woman named Patricia Botten while Marcela had an affair with Rafael. To run away with Rafael, Marcela faked her death and framed Reynaldo for her "murder". Patricia was supposed to testify in Reynaldo's defense, but her husband Paco dissauded her so that he wouldn't look weak from his wife cheating on him. Reynaldo was convicted on manslaughter and served ten years in prison, and Marcela and Reynaldo fled to New York City. However, Rafael always regretted leaving Reynaldo to take the fall. Additionally, his sham marriage to Marcela, who went by the new name of Anna Brisenio and had Rafael take the same surname, was an unhappy one.
When Reynaldo got out of prison, he met with Rafael again, saying that he blamed Marcela and not Rafael. Reynaldo convinced Rafael to get revenge and kill Marcela. As a result, Rafael shot Marcela dead and was later arrested as part of the brothers' plan. Rafael then used his prepared argument that Reynaldo was out of prison and wanted revenge. Reynaldo was subsequently arrested on suspicion and arraigned, with Rafael and Reynaldo screaming at and fighting each other in court as part of the ruse. Reynaldo dropped his "double jeopardy" defense and insisted he'd not only be acquitted, but he'd sue for false imprisonment. However, the ruse came apart when Rafael was witnessed at the scene, leading to Rafael caving in and giving a full confession. As a result, Reynaldo had time added to his sentence for facilitation. (L&O: "Couples")