Rodriguez served time in Vermont prisons from 1993 to 1998 for luring a man into City Hall Park in Burlington and then, with another man, beating him with a wood stake and a cinder block. The victim survived. Originally charged with attempted murder, Rodriguez agreed to plead guilty to aggravated assault. After his release, Rodriguez lived in Burlington and began to run into trouble again in August. He was charged with possession of small amounts of drugs, including marijuana and ecstasy, and disorderly conduct.
Ecstasy is a drug that increases energy and is reputed to foster a sense of well-being.
Rodriguez could be very, very, very persuasive, Mitchell said. He s got this smile. He d show up at the clubs in nice clothes and buy everyone drinks. He never seemed to run out of money. Jones, she said, was one of those drawn to Rodriguez, but Mitchell said she never saw Jones use heroin.