Jason Rodriguez, the man accused of opening fire at a downtown office Friday, leaving one dead and five others injured, appeared before a judge at Orange County Jail today.
During a two-minute hearing 10 a.m., Orange County Circuit Judge Walter Komanski advised Rodriguez that he was arrested on a first-degree murder charge. He was ruled indigent, appointed a public defender and denied bond.
Rodriguez wore a protective vest, with his hands shackled at the waist. He showed no emotion, and rocked back and forth and kept his eyes downcast.
The murder suspect was reluctant to raise his right hand to be sworn in and had be asked twice to do so.
He spoke only twice, answering "yes" and stating his name for the judge.
Orange-Osceola Public Defender Robert Wesley asked that the judge bar anyone from questioning Rodriguez without a lawyer present and to make any of those types of requests directly through Wesley.
Wesley also stated during the hearing, "He is being held under different circumstances and has not been given clothes."
"He is a very, very mentally ill person"
Following the hearing, the suspect's mother, Ana Lopez-Rodriguez, spoke briefly to reporters gathered outside of the jail.
"I am so sorry for everything that's happened," she said. "This is very, very hurtful."
Lopez-Rodriguez did not answer any questions from reporters and asked for privacy. She wiped away tears as she walked to her car.
Moments later, Wesley spoke to reporters about his new client. Wesley said the fact that he, the elected head of the Public Defender office, is representing Rodriguez shows how important the case is.
"He is a very, very mentally ill person," Wesley said. Authorities did not give information on whether Rodriguez is taking medication to treat his condition. He is being held in a cell that does not have furniture.
Wesley said the situation "looks like a classic, stress overload" that is combined with a chemical imbalance.
Recently, Rodriguez had been buffeted by major personal problems, including marital difficulties, bankruptcy and unemployment. Wesley said, however, that those stresses are "never an excuse."
Rodriguez made multiple statements to police and the press Friday acknowledging his involvement in the shooting. Wesley said these comments will not harm his client's defense.
"If you have a mentally ill person talking hours on end, I don't think there is much you can glean from it," he said. Wesley said the suspect will undergo a mental-health evaluation.
Police investigation continues
Orlando police are continuing their investigation into Friday's deadly shooting, but as of mid-Saturday morning, have released few additional public details about the incident.
During a two-minute hearing 10 a.m., Orange County Circuit Judge Walter Komanski advised Rodriguez that he was arrested on a first-degree murder charge. He was ruled indigent, appointed a public defender and denied bond.
Rodriguez wore a protective vest, with his hands shackled at the waist. He showed no emotion, and rocked back and forth and kept his eyes downcast.
The murder suspect was reluctant to raise his right hand to be sworn in and had be asked twice to do so.
He spoke only twice, answering "yes" and stating his name for the judge.
Orange-Osceola Public Defender Robert Wesley asked that the judge bar anyone from questioning Rodriguez without a lawyer present and to make any of those types of requests directly through Wesley.
Wesley also stated during the hearing, "He is being held under different circumstances and has not been given clothes."
"He is a very, very mentally ill person"
Following the hearing, the suspect's mother, Ana Lopez-Rodriguez, spoke briefly to reporters gathered outside of the jail.
"I am so sorry for everything that's happened," she said. "This is very, very hurtful."
Lopez-Rodriguez did not answer any questions from reporters and asked for privacy. She wiped away tears as she walked to her car.
Moments later, Wesley spoke to reporters about his new client. Wesley said the fact that he, the elected head of the Public Defender office, is representing Rodriguez shows how important the case is.
"He is a very, very mentally ill person," Wesley said. Authorities did not give information on whether Rodriguez is taking medication to treat his condition. He is being held in a cell that does not have furniture.
Wesley said the situation "looks like a classic, stress overload" that is combined with a chemical imbalance.
Recently, Rodriguez had been buffeted by major personal problems, including marital difficulties, bankruptcy and unemployment. Wesley said, however, that those stresses are "never an excuse."
Rodriguez made multiple statements to police and the press Friday acknowledging his involvement in the shooting. Wesley said these comments will not harm his client's defense.
"If you have a mentally ill person talking hours on end, I don't think there is much you can glean from it," he said. Wesley said the suspect will undergo a mental-health evaluation.
Police investigation continues
Orlando police are continuing their investigation into Friday's deadly shooting, but as of mid-Saturday morning, have released few additional public details about the incident.
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