Witnesses to testify against alleged murderer, rapist

WILMINGTON — Witnesses are coming into Wilmington from across the country to testify against an alleged murderer and rapist.

Tyrone Delgado has been accused of murdering an FBI employee a few years ago. Thursday a woman Delgado allegedly raped and assaulted will begin testifying against him in the New Hanover County courthouse.

Nine women total are expected to testify against Delgado.

FBI employee Melissa Mooney was murdered on August 5, 1999. Investigations revealed that someone kicked in her door and tried to sexually assault her before strangling the agent to death. Delgado lived a few doors down from Mooney. She had just moved in to the neighborhood. Delgado has been charged with her murder.

FBI special agent Kevin Kendrick said, “On a personal level, Melissa Mooney was an employee of the FBI, a very dedicated, long-term employee. She worked for the bureau for 11 years and she was family for us.”

New Hanover County prosecutors were issued a gag order for the case. There’s currently a motion to determine whether media will be allowed in the courthouse.

Delgado’s trial is scheduled to begin March 10 at the New Hanover County courthouse.