The 12 jurors who served for the Michael Rodrigues rape trial
did a laudable service for San Benito County, and it appears they
took the job seriously and thoroughly examined the witness
testimony before reaching a decision.
THUMBS UP: The 12 jurors who served for the Michael Rodrigues rape trial did a laudable service for San Benito County, and it appears they took the job seriously and thoroughly examined the witness testimony before reaching a decision. Involved with one of the most fascinating and consequential trials in San Benito County history, they listened for nearly two weeks to witness testimony in a widely circumstantial case with complications at just about every turn. They watched intently. They considered both sides. And they found Rodrigues, entrusted by the community as a sheriff’s deputy for 25 years, guilty of raping three women – and with it, just as guilty of perpetually using his position of authority to violate local residents and bring irreversible trauma to their lives. Now, thanks to the jury and a well-defined case from prosecutor Patrick Palacios, those victims can rest easier knowing Rodrigues is going away to prison for a long time.
THUMBS DOWN: It’s an unfortunate circumstance of government bureaucracy, and the environmental requirements that come with the cleanup, that the San Justo Reservoir likely will be closed for yet another year due to the zebra mussel infestation discovered in January 2008. As we are learning, the process is long and inherently expensive. It’s also far from a slam-dunk solution, which doesn’t exist when it comes to zebra mussels, an invasive creature first found in the United States in 1980. They’re finally in California after nearly three decades, with the first discovery in the state at the reservoir outside of Hollister. With such a massive burden of preventing their spread into the region’s water systems, and with so many players across all levels of government involved, we shouldn’t expect to see the cherished reservoir open anytime soon.
A REMEMBRANCE: Paul Matulich, one of the most dedicated, longtime county employees who became the face of agriculture in San Benito County, passed away this week. Matulich in his five years as agriculture commissioner, following 39 years of service in the office before taking the top job, was an icon in the local farming and ranching community. He personified dedication to work. He cared about local farmers and ranchers as if they were his own family, because in a way, that’s how Matulich saw things. His personality was cherished as uniquely humorous and friendly. His word as agriculture commissioner carried a ton of weight with peers and friends. The community, with his passing, has lost a true champion for San Benito County.
