A California man killed a couple he thought were members of a rival gang in a case of mistaken identity. Now, he will remain behind bars for decades.
Monterey County Superior Court Judge Rafael Vazquez handed Norteno street gang member, Mario Rodriguez, a life term in prison with the possibility of parole for the shooting death of Michael Ramos, 33, and Amanda Ferrell, 30. Rodriguez pleaded guilty to two counts of murder and discharging a firearm causing death.
On Aug. 31, 2021, the defendant and other members of his gang were in a neighborhood the group thought was a rival gang’s territory . According to The Mercury News, while looking for members of the Sureno criminal street gang, Rodriguez spotted the couple on E. Bernal Drive in Salinas and shot them to death. During the investigation, authorities established the victims had no gang affiliation and the defendant was placed in custody.
Recently, while the defendant was in jail, Rodriguez was reported to have punched and kicked deputies multiple times as they attempted to enforce the prohibition of tattoo equipment.
"One inmate was tattooing another inmate. And, you know, the deputies needed to get the tattooing instrument," said Monterey County Chief Assistant District Attorney Berkeley Brannon, reported Kion News Channel.
As a result, the defendant pleaded guilty to two counts of assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer.
Rodriguez will be eligible for parole after serving 50 years in prison.
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