Rodriguez sentenced to death for slaying Escapee wanted life term, but jury said he posed a threat 05/10/2002 By HOLLY BECKA / The Dallas Morning News MOUNT VERNON, Texas - Prison escapee Michael Rodriguez met a jury's decision Thursday to sentence him to death with a near-smile, grinning slightly as the judge read the verdict and asked whether he understood. "Yes, sir, I do, your honor," Mr. Rodriguez replied. Officers immediately took him to death row after the proceeding. Mr. Rodriguez, 39, was serving a capital life sentence for hiring a hit man to kill his wife when he...