Rolando Rodriguez, 41, was sentenced to 41 years in prison after being convicted of murdering his best friend on the night of November 2-3, 2022. The victim was staying in a smaller trailer owned by Rodriguez’s best friend, who had rented out a separate trailer to Rodriguez and his girlfriend.
An altercation occurred between the victim and Rodriguez's girlfriend, though the details of the incident remain unclear. The girlfriend, angered by the exchange, called Rodriguez to report what had happened. Upon arriving at the property, Rodriguez confronted the victim inside the smaller trailer and shot him in the chest.
Following the murder, Rodriguez and his girlfriend fled to the gas station where he worked, stealing over $1,000 in cash before escaping to Johnson County. They were arrested five days later after changing their appearances.
Despite claiming self-defense and providing various versions of the event, Rodriguez was found guilty by a jury in less than 15 minutes. The judge sentenced him to 41 years in prison.
