Inset: Connor Wohlleben appears in court (KOMO). Background: The residential area where Wohlleben allegedly attacked people with a knife in South Everett, Wash. (Google Maps).
A convicted murderer in Washington State is raising concerns about the integrity of the jury that recently adjudicated his case.
Kevin Rodriguez, 35, was found guilty by a Snohomish County jury of second-degree murder in the death of 56-year-old Evodio Garcia Martinez. Additionally, Rodriguez was convicted of assaulting two other men during the same incident.
Each attack involved the use of butcher knives, and Rodriguez now claims that one of the jurors has a history of knife-related violence. He contends this revelation warrants a new trial.
Initially, Rodriguez was convicted of manslaughter for the incident in 2021. However, he successfully appealed, securing a new trial where he chose to represent himself. On April 10, Rodriguez was convicted once again, as reported by the Seattle Times.
The violent episode occurred on the night of February 9, 2019, in an apartment located in Monroe, a city approximately 30 miles northwest of Seattle and part of its metropolitan area.
Garcia Martinez was asleep on a couch when he was fatally stabbed. Upon returning from a casino outing, his friends discovered Rodriguez lurking in the dark with two butcher knives. A confrontation followed, resulting in injuries to two roommates before Rodriguez was eventually restrained with copper wire.
“I hurt him, I hurt him,” the killer repeated to police, according to court documents obtained by The Daily Herald.
Fast-forward through all the court proceedings, the yearslong appeal process, the firing of all legal counsel, and the pro se defense. Now, Rodriguez says he deserves trial number three.
On April 13, two people were stabbed at a townhome in South Everett by a 20-year-old man who reportedly suffers from schizophrenia, according to the new trial motion obtained by the Times.
The recent incident occurred at a residence near 112th Street Southwest and State Route 99, according to Seattle-based Fox affiliate KCPQ.
On the night in question, Connor Wohlleben forced his way inside and began stabbing people, according to law enforcement. The man was reportedly known by at least some of the residents.
Eventually, a 22-year-old woman at the residence put Wohlleben into a chokehold until deputies arrived.
“Absolutely courageous of the 22-year-old,” Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Courtney O’Keefe said. “Her actions potentially saved the lives of her family members and herself.”
Wohlleben was arrested on suspicion of one count of burglary and two counts of first-degree assault.
Earlier this month, a judge set the South Everett man’s bail at $500,000, according to a courtroom report by Seattle-based ABC affiliate KOMO. He is still detained as of this writing, jail records show.
Wohlleben is also reportedly “juror 14” from Rodriguez’s latest trial.
The defense claims the South Everett stabber told the victims he was “sent by Jesus” and was the “right hand of Jesus” during the incident – allegations which were echoed by law enforcement, KSPQ reported.
The new trial motion cites “juror misconduct” as well as myriad objections to elements of the trial – including witness and defense testimony – and other non-trial proceedings in the case.
As for juror 14, the new trial motion is requesting an evidentiary hearing to investigate his mental state during trial and deliberation.
Rodriguez is currently slated to be sentenced on May 13.
