A jury found former San Benito County sheriff’s Sgt. Michael
Rodrigues guilty of raping three women.
A jury found former San Benito County sheriff’s Sgt. Michael Rodrigues guilty of raping three women.
Jurors convicted Rodrigues, 48, on four counts of rape Friday afternoon. They came down with not guilty verdicts on four charges related to one of the accuser’s allegations.
The jury convicted Rodrigues for raping the three women – one of them in 1999 and 2000, and the others both in 2006.
The not guilty verdicts were related to a rape allegation and other accusations from a woman who contended he assaulted her several times in 2007.
With the four rape convictions, Rodrigues faces 60 years to life in prison. Jurors also came down with guilty verdicts on three special allegations that could enhance the penalty.
During the verdicts’ reading, Rodrigues offered little reaction and, for the most part, stared ahead.
Rodrigues was arrested following the proceeding, forced to hand over some belongings, such as his suit coat, and booked into the San Benito County Jail. Deputy District Attorney Patrick Palacios had requested the immediate remand, to which the defense objected. Visiting Judge Alan Hedegard made a ruling in favor of the prosecution.
Jurors started deliberations around noon Wednesday in the trial, which started Sept. 9, and held the private talks for three days, compiling a total of about 16 hours of discussions.
“We’re satisfied that the jury came back with what they thought were the right verdicts,” Palacios said. “We hope that this helps the victims move on with what they’ve been dealing with over these last years.”
Rodrigues’ defense attorney, Art Cantu, however, said the convictions do not end the matter and he reiterated outside the courthouse he would appeal.
Cantu already filed for a mistrial, alleging the judge showed bias in favor of the prosecution. Hedegard said he would try to have his documented response finished by today. If Cantu’s mistrial attempt does not succeed, he suggested an appeal to a higher court would be a certainty.
“Of course, we’re disappointed,” Cantu said. “This is a very tough mountain to climb. It’s not an over issue. We are going to be addressing some issues to request the court either issue a new trial or, if that does not succeed, an appeal.”
Regarding Rodrigues’ demeanor, Cantu said he was “unusually strong and unusually sober. I was very impressed with him. He was very calm and brave, and he showed a very mature posture on the issue.”
At the end the court proceeding, Hedegard set Rodrigues’ sentence hearing for 10 a.m. Oct. 30.
Editor’s note: In Part 2 of this series of videos covering the closing statements in the Michael Rodrigues rape trial, portions of arguments over the testimony of Jane Doe 1 are shown. Rodrigues today was convicted of raping her twice, in 1999 and 2000.
Here are some other stories on the trial you may have missed:
Cantu indicates appeal likely if Rodrigues found guilty
Deliberations loom with closing nearly done
Defense rests case without Rodrigues on the stand
Defense’s mistrial, conflict allegations denied
Former Rodrigues colleague recalls hotel incident
Two accusers testify in Rodrigues trial
