Fresno man takes deal for 2024 shooting as alleged co-defendants continue fighting
A one-time accused killer, Nathen Rodriguez, will spend 7 years and 4 months in connection with the death of Sylvester Choi.
"The court will accept the plea agreement," the judge said on Thursday.
With Rodriguez's case closed, Donte Harmon and Maurice Fields continue to fight off murder charges in a separate hearing.
Prosecutors believe the men acted together in a Central Fresno shooting last September. Investigators say surveillance video purportedly shows some of the suspects running from the scene.
"Those three people back in the car they came in, and he (Rodriguez) just followed them closely again back to the Marks and Shaw area," Defense attorney Jane Boulger said.
She claims Rodriguez merely drove behind the alleged shooters.
"People can say, 'Well, he was a lookout. He was this,' and maybe have different theories, but nothing can be really proven," Boulger said.
Rodriguez reached an agreement shortly before prosecutors prepared to reveal their evidence earlier this summer.
They dropped the most serious charges by moving to dismiss one count of murder and two counts of attempted murder. In turn, Rodriguez entered a no-contest plea to the lesser charge of assault with a firearm.
"It was based on some evidentiary reasons," prosecutor Kendall Reynolds said. "Issues that, at least from the people's perspective, were lacking by way of moving forward towards a jury trial."
Rodriguez sat quietly as the judge accepted the terms.
The victim's mother raised concerns about the sentence in a letter to the court, but Reynolds confirms he spoke with her and believes it is "the right outcome at this time."
"Certainly, it's not enough because she lost her child, but she understands the reasons for the outcome in this case as it relates to Mr. Rodriguez only," Reynolds said.
The preliminary hearing for the other two men charged in connection with the victim's death will resume next month, when a judge will decide whether prosecutors have enough evidence to take them to trial.
For news updates, follow Gabe Ferris on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram.
