The defense attorney for Michael Rodrigues, a former sheriff’s
deputy accused of rape, questioned two witnesses on the stand today
at a preliminary trial hearing and focused on the credibility of
the law enforcement investigation and one of the character
witnesses.
HOLLISTER
The defense attorney for Michael Rodrigues, a former sheriff’s deputy accused of rape, questioned two witnesses on the stand today at a preliminary trial hearing and focused on the credibility of the law enforcement investigation and one of the character witnesses.
Former San Benito County sheriff’s deputy and detective Jeff Goodwin said that when he had been working in the sheriff’s office during the 2007 internal investigation of Rodrigues, he was not allowed to use his office while an audio interview for the case was changed. When he asked what was happening in his office, he said a detective told him that’s what the law enforcement personnel were doing.
Goodwin also said that he went to the district attorney’s office to report the “inappropriate behavior” to District Attorney Candice Hooper.
Rodrigues’ attorney Art Cantu called on a second witness who previously had worked for and with former sheriff’s deputy and current Presidential Security owner John Klauer.
Cantu called another resident to the stand, but he could not be there for personal reasons.
Jurors are divided into two groups, and one is set to report for summons on at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, while the other group is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Thursday.
The trial had been rescheduled to begin on Monday morning at the courthouse if jurors are secured.
Rodrigues, a 25-year sheriff’s office deputy, is accused or raping four women, with additional counts for unlawful sexual penetration and domestic violence, according to court documents.
