The defense attorney for ex-sheriff’s sergeant Mike Rodrigues
told the Free Lance today that one of four suspected rape victims
in the case has signed a declaration dismissing her allegation from
the proceedings.
The defense attorney for ex-sheriff’s sergeant Mike Rodrigues told the Free Lance today that one of four suspected rape victims in the case has signed a declaration dismissing her allegation from the proceedings.
“One of the Jane Does has filed a declaration recanting her story,” said Art Cantu, the defense attorney.
Cantu made the comment while briefly updating the Free Lance on proceedings in the case during a short break from closed-door talks today. Deputy District Attorney Patrick Palacios, who’s handling the prosecution, could not be reached immediately before publication.
Even with such a dismissal, however, it still leaves Rodrigues facing three counts of suspected rape in a case that started with a San Benito County Sheriff’s Office investigation and, later, led to a grand jury indictment against the longtime local deputy in December 2008. The grand jury indicted Rodrigues of three rape counts, while prosecutors added another suspected victim last fall. Sheriff Curtis Hill could not be reached immediately for comment before publication.
Cantu also clarified today that with a law elevating a potential sentence if Rodrigues is convicted of two or more of the counts, he is exposed to a possible life prison sentence. That law states that Rodrigues would face a sentence of 15 years to life in prison if convicted in the same court proceeding of raping two separate victims.
While Cantu divulged those two pieces of news in the case, a hearing scheduled for today to solidify testimony in the upcoming trial – scheduled for Aug. 24 – didn’t produce anything publicly.
For the full story, see the Pinnacle on Friday.
