California | Hernan Rodriguez sentenced to death for 2015 Dinuba murders

It's been more than five years since what Tulare County District Attorney Tim Ward describes as a surprising, horrific incident of workplace violence, carried out by a then 24-year-old parolee named Hernan Rodriguez.

DINUBA, Calif. — A Reedley man has been sentenced to death for murdering two men in a Dinuba orchard back in 2015.

On May 20th, 2015, field workers in a plum orchard were gathered around to heat up food for lunch.

That's when the Tulare County District Attorney's Office says one of their co-workers, now 29-year-old Hernan Rodriguez, walked up to them with a sawed-off 9mm semi-automatic rifle.

The District Attorney says Rodriguez hid behind a van and fired seven shots at the men sitting there.

"There was some evidence talked about that there may have been some statements from other workers making fun of the defendant or something (like) that," Tulare County District Attorney Tim Ward said. "But certainly no matter what the evidence (was), nothing came out to warrant the action that this murderer took."

A 57-year-old man was shot in the head and died.

A 65-year-old man who'd also been hit was rushed to the hospital, but lost brain activity and was taken off life support two weeks later.

A 60-year-old man was also shot through the stomach and arm, but survived. He underwent multiple surgeries and spent three months in the hospital.

The Tulare County DA's Office says Rodriguez ran away after that shooting, but was caught a short while later by the Dinuba Police Department.

A police K9 also found the modified shotgun in the orchard.

Rodriguez's trial first started on October 28, 2019.

On January 8, 2020, he was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder; three counts of attempted murder; and for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Friday, June 26th, his conviction of death was announced at the Tulare County Superior Court.

“The families of the victims have waited for this day. Today, these hard-working grandfathers received justice,” said District Attorney Tim Ward. “I know much has been said about the status of the death penalty in our state. Despite the Governor’s stance, it is still law. In this case, the decision to seek the ultimate punishment was warranted. These were victims of an act of workplace violence deliberately committed by the defendant. I hope and pray that today is a new step in their families’ path towards healing.”

Fourteen other men in Tulare County also sit on Death Row.

Source: kmph.com, Marie Edinger, June 27, 2020

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