Rodriguez Trial Begins
By: Joel Walker
Updated: March 24, 2008
Monday was Day 1 of the Rosendo Rodriguez capital murder trial for the 2005 beating death of Summer Baldwin and her unborn child. Rodriguez has been awaiting trial for more than 36 months since being arrested and charged with the crime.
In opening statements, the prosecution said 'this trial will prove that there is great evil in this world'. The defense said they will focus their efforts on proving Baldwin's death was a result of self defense; that the night she died, she pulled a knife on Rodriguez in the Holiday Inn, and that is why Rodriguez attacked and killed Baldwin.
The jury heard from a dozen witnesses on Tuesday including a college buddy of Rosendo's. Chris Rodriguez (no relation) says he drank with Rosendo just hours before Baldwin's murder and was in 'total shock' when he heard of Rosendo's arrest. Also taking the stand, a friend of Baldwin's, a fellow prostitute, who says she saw Baldwin with Rodriguez the night she died.
The jury of 12 is made up of 8 women and 4 men. 8 are white with 1 black man and 1 Hispanic woman. Rodriguez' trial is expected to last through the week.
In opening statements, the prosecution said 'this trial will prove that there is great evil in this world'. The defense said they will focus their efforts on proving Baldwin's death was a result of self defense; that the night she died, she pulled a knife on Rodriguez in the Holiday Inn, and that is why Rodriguez attacked and killed Baldwin.
The jury heard from a dozen witnesses on Tuesday including a college buddy of Rosendo's. Chris Rodriguez (no relation) says he drank with Rosendo just hours before Baldwin's murder and was in 'total shock' when he heard of Rosendo's arrest. Also taking the stand, a friend of Baldwin's, a fellow prostitute, who says she saw Baldwin with Rodriguez the night she died.
The jury of 12 is made up of 8 women and 4 men. 8 are white with 1 black man and 1 Hispanic woman. Rodriguez' trial is expected to last through the week.
