Springdale murder case goes to the jury

FAYETTEVILLE -- The fate of Rodolfo Alberto Martinez is in the juror's hands.

Martinez, 21, is charged with accomplice to capital murder in the drive-by slaying of Jimmy Rodriguez, 20.

Both sides presented closing arguments Tuesday afternoon and sent the case to the jury about 4:30 p.m. The trial started Monday morning.

Martinez faces life in prison if convicted because prosecutors waived the death penalty. He is also charged with accomplice to the unlawful discharge of a firearm from a vehicle.

Three young men were standing in a front yard in Springdale in April 2015 when four males in a blue Ford Focus pulled up and demanded to know their gang affiliations, police said.

One of the people in the car opened fire, killing Rodriguez, police said.

Witnesses testified Martinez was the shooter.

Giovanni Vasquez-Sanchez, who police said was the driver of the car, and Jose Delatorre, a passenger, are expected to be tried on similar charges at a later time.

The other occupant of the car was a 13-year-old boy. State law prohibits the release of information about juvenile arrest records.

NW News on 08/15/2017

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