A pro-Palestinian activist, accused of fatally shooting a young Israeli diplomat couple, made his initial court appearance, where it was stated he could potentially face the death penalty if found guilty.
Elias Rodriguez, 31, appeared in a white prison jumpsuit at a federal court in Washington DC.
His first hearing came as it also emerged that Rodriguez is accused of firing at least 21 shots.
According to an FBI affidavit 21 expended 9mm cartridge casings, an empty magazine, and a 9mm handgun were found at the scene.
Cameras were not allowed inside the courtroom which was just a few blocks from where the horrific crime took place in the nation’s capital.
During the proceedings, Rodriguez, unrestrained by handcuffs, consistently nodded as the judge detailed the charges against him. He remained composed, speaking calmly when stating his name and age.
Near the conclusion of the 15-minute hearing, he momentarily smiled and gave a slight shrug as attorneys deliberated the scheduling for his subsequent court session.
Magistrate Judge Matthew Sharbaugh told him he faces five charges.
The first was ‘murder of foreign officials’ and carries a possible death sentence.
The second charge was ‘causing the death of a person through the discharge of a firearm,’ which also carried a potential for execution.
The third was ‘discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence,’ for which he could get life if convicted.
Rodriguez will also face two charges of first-degree murder, which carry potential life sentences.
he is accused of killing Yaron Lischinsky, an Israeli citizen, and Sarah Milgrim, an American, who were a young couple about to be engaged
They were shot dead while leaving an event at the Capital Jewish Museum on Wednesday evening.
According to police Rodriguez yelled, ‘Free, free Palestine’ after he was arrested.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington, led by former judge Jeanine Pirro, is prosecuting the case.
During the hearing at the E. Barrett Prettyman Court House in Washington DC, Rodriguez sat in a black swivel chair next to his court-appointed lawyer Elizabeth Mullin at a wooden table. A US Marshall sat on either side.
Rodriguez wore glasses and had a neatly trimmed beard.
During the hearing he repeatedly looked slowly around the wood and marble-paneled courtroom, including at the benches in the public gallery, the white ceiling and burgundy carpet.
The judge asked him to stand and raise his right hand and he was sworn in. When asked if he swore to tell the truth, he answered: ‘I do.’
After giving his name and age, the judge asked him: ‘How far did you get in school?’
Rodriguez replied calmly: ‘I have a bachelors in English.’
Asked by Judge Sharbaugh if he was on drugs, he said: ‘No.’
When asked if he understood his rights he nodded and said: ‘I do.’
The judge told him he had a right to a preliminary hearing and then asked if he had any questions. Rodriguez replied: ‘No.’
Rodriguez sat mostly with his hands clasped in front of him on the table, but then rested his hands on his chin as his lawyer whispered to him.
Prosecutor Jeff Nestler told the court: ‘This is a complicated case. We have a large amount of evidence and and a large amount of witnesses, and a complicated crime scene.’
As the court set a date of June 18 for the next hearing, the judge asked Rodriguez about a time for it.
He appeared to smile briefly and give a small shrug.
Public records list Rodriguez as living in a modest 850-square-foot apartment on Chicago’s north side.
Heavily armed law enforcement officers were seen outside the building on Thursday.
The stunning attack prompted Israeli missions to beef up their security and lower their flags to half-staff.
It came as Israel has launched another major offensive in the Gaza Strip in a war with Hamas that has heightened tensions across the Middle East and internationally.
When the couple exited the museum he suspect, who had been seen pacing outside the museum, approached a group of four people and opened fire, according to police.
The gunman, identified by police as Rodriguez, then walked into the museum.
He was detained by event security and began chanting, “Free, free Palestine,” Smith said.
Following the shooting President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social: ‘These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW!
‘Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ‘s office said Thursday he was shocked.
‘We are witnessing the terrible price of antisemitism and wild incitement against Israel,” he said in a statement.
Rodriguez allegedly posted a manifesto online calling for ‘armed demonstration’ as a response to the ‘genocide’ in Gaza, hours before the shooting.
