Santa Maria man enters plea in deadly SLO County stabbing
Editor’s note: This story mentions suicide.
The Santa Maria man accused of murdering his friend in Pismo Beach pleaded not guilty Monday.
Andrew Rodriguez, 34, is accused of fatally stabbing 39-year-old Jonathan Perez in the 1200 block of Price Street on Sept. 11, Pismo Beach Police Department said in a news release.
Perez was declared dead at the scene, police said, and Rodriguez was identified as a suspect shortly after. He allegedly fled to Ventura and attempted suicide. He was then taken to the hospital under supervision of Pismo Beach officers, police said.
Rodriguez and Perez were “known acquaintances” at the time, police said.
Rodriguez was released from the hospital Sept. 15 and subsequently arrested. The San Luis Obispo District Attorney’s Office charged him with Perez’s murder on Sept. 17.
The agency added a sentencing enhancement for the use of a deadly weapon, in this case a “stabbing instrument or knife.”
According to the charge sheet, Rodriguez has three prior serious or violent felony convictions from a single incident on Sept. 17, 2009, in Ventura County, but five possible sentencing enhancements stemming from the convictions.
He was convicted of one felony count of sexual intercourse with a victim who couldn’t consent because of intoxication, one felony count of sexual penetration of an unconscious victim and one felony count of burglary in 2010.
Rodriguez will remain in San Luis Obispo County Jail without bail.
The next court hearing was scheduled for Nov. 4.
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a hotline for individuals in crisis or for those looking to help someone else. To speak with a certified listener, call 988. You can also call the Central Coast Hotline at 800-783-0607 for 24-7 assistance. To learn the warning signs of suicide, visit 988lifeline.org.
This story was originally published September 30, 2024 at 10:53 AM.
