Feb 14, 2022

Verdict in Ulisses Rodriguez case

 


Ulisses Rodriguez jury went into deliberations last Wednesday shortly before 3 p.m. They deliberated all day on Thursday and requested readback of John Doe and Chano Sanchez's testimony. They deliberated most of the day on February 14. At 3:26 p.m. there was a note and the jury has a verdict.

Rodriguez was found guilty  on all charges.

Count 1 murder. Count 2 murder. Count 2 has one special allegation of using firearm during the commission of a crime and another special allegation of multiple murder victims. Count 3 is criminal threats with a special allegation of using a firearm during the commission of a crime. Count 4 is arson.

Rodriguez turned down an offer made by the People on January 18. This was before the trial started.

Ms. Andrea Sullivan is Rodriguez's attorney. Deputy District Attorneys Luke Bernthal and Trent Timm were the trial prosecutors.  Sentencing is on 4/1/22.


DA Press Release (February 16):

On February 14, 2022, a Humboldt County jury found Ulissess Rodriguez guilty of all charges brought by the District Attorney.  The charges included the first-degree murders of Tiffany Ellebrecht and Jeremy Kuemmel, arson, with the special allegation that Mr. Rodriguez personally used a firearm to commit the murders. The jury also convicted Mr. Rodriguez of arson and criminal threats against witness John Doe, as well as personal use of a firearm during the criminal threats offense.

Evidence presented at trial proved that on August 14, 2018, Mr. Rodriguez shot Ms. Ellebrecht and Mr. Kuemmel to death at Rodriguez’ marijuana grow in the China Creek area, where  Mr. Kuemmel and Ms. Ellebrecht had been working and living. After the murders, Mr. Rodriguez threatened John Doe and forced him to assist in moving the victims’ bodies. Later that night, Mr. Rodriguez used gasoline to burn the victims’ vehicle with their bodies within. Witnesses at the grow site, including John Doe, subsequently came forward, gave statements to investigators from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, and testified at trial.

Deputy District Attorneys Luke Bernthal and Trent Timm prosecuted the case.  Private attorney Andrea Sullivan represented Mr. Rodriguez.  Because he committed multiple murders, a “special circumstance” under California homicide law, Mr. Rodriguez faces a maximum sentence of life without the possibility of parole – he will be sentenced on April 1, 2022.

Previous post:

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2022/02/ulisses-rodriguez-jury-requests-readback.html?m=1


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