Posted on 06/17/2005 7:32:26 PM PDT by twas
(Lockport, NY, June 17, 2005) - - An elderly Niagara Falls man convicted of attempted murder, continues to deny he did anything wrong. This, after learning his fate Friday, for pouring gasoline on a woman and shooting her twice with a flare gun. News 4's Michele McClintick has more from Niagara County.
With 25 years to life, Otes Rodriguez will likely live out the rest of his days in jail, for trying to kill a business owner last year - something he continues to deny, even Friday, as he walked into a Niagara County court.
In May of 2004, the 82 year old man walked into a rental property office and doused owner Emma Chapman with gasoline, then proceeded to fire a flare gun at her, but luckily missed twice.
Niagara County Asst. District Atty. Charles Pitarresi said, "Ms. Chapman had known this person for a while and had problems with real estate and it culmintated in this act by the defendant."
This was Chapman at the time of the attack.
Chapman: "I started hearing shots and I saw a flare, and when I saw the flare I knew my life was in danger."
"I was thinking of my children. I have young children and I didn't want to die and leave my children."
It's been over a year and still Emma Chapman has flashbacks, but she told her attacker in court Friday that she will pray for him.
She was still emotional as she left the courtroom, pleased with the sentencing of 25 years to life.
Rodriguez has been in trouble with the law before, convicted of killing his wife in 1961 and then his girlfriend in 1973.
Prosecutors are pleased he's now behind bars for good.
Pitarresi said, "That's what we wanted, to keep this man off the streets of Niagara Falls."
Dick Durban would've let him ago again.
Sheese, let's try this again: Dick Durbin would've let him go again.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.