A judge at the hearing also criticized the prosecutor for not
completing paperwork for an amendment that he expected to have in
court today.
District Attorney Candice Hooper said Wednesday she will oppose efforts to move former sheriff’s Sgt. Michael Rodrigues’ rape trial to another county, and a judge set a pretrial hearing for late May.
Rodrigues has been charged with three counts of forcible rape, two counts of unlawful sexual penetration and one count each of spousal rape, attempted rape and domestic violence. At the last hearing March 7, Rodrigues pleaded not guilty to all charges.
At the hearing today – Rodrigues was not there – defense attorney Christopher Miller noted how he plans to file a motion for a change of venue, which would move the trial out of San Benito County. Hooper then said in court she intends to oppose the move.
San Benito County Superior Court Judge Harry Tobias ultimately set a pretrial motions hearing for May 27.
The former sergeant was indicted by a grand jury whose members heard three women testify that Rodrigues used manipulation, threats and violence to force them to have sex with him. A deputy also testified at the grand jury hearing that he witnessed Rodrigues attempt to rape a suspected prostitute during a work-related trip to Laughlin, Nev., in May 2004.
Rodrigues was a 25-year veteran deputy before he was fired while under investigation by the sheriff’s office for the rape allegations.
Tobias at the hearing also criticized Hooper for not completing paperwork for an amendment that he expected to have in court Wednesday.
“We have been out of court for five weeks, and no progress has been made,” Tobias said.
