A neighborhood menace who shot and killed a man during an argument over dog feces was sentenced to life in prison nearly a decade later, but not before berating his victim’s widow in court.
Omar Rodriguez, now 75, shot and killed Jose Rey, 52, in his son’s backyard in Miami on June 21, 2015, and died at Kendall Regional Hospital a week later.
The bad neighbor was finally convicted in May of second-degree murder and aggravated assault for threatening Rey’s wife, Lissette Rey.
“I ask your honor to impose the harshest sentence on the coward, on the murderer,” Lissette told Judge Milton Hirsch during Thursday’s sentencing.
Rodriguez erupted in anger in Miami-Dade Circuit Court, removed his mask and lashed out at Lissette.
Rodriguez exploded in anger in Miami-Dade Circuit Court, removing his mask and attacking Lissette.
Lissette speaks to reporters after the sentencing ended, glad Rodriguez will likely die in prison but hoping he was sentenced to death
“The coward was your husband. That’s why I killed him… He was crying like a baby,” she screamed.
It took seven prison officers to get him out of the courtroom and even when he was outside, obscene verses could be heard as Lissette continued.
“I pray he spends the rest of his miserable existence in prison. He’s a narcissistic piece of shit.”
Unless he lives to be more than 100, Rodriguez will die in prison, as he is not eligible for parole until at least 2049.
“In the end, Mr. Rodriguez will still see his family. They will be able to visit him and see him. I will never see my husband again,” said Rey’s widow.
Jose Rey, 52, was shot to death in Miami on June 21, 2015, and died at Kendall Regional Hospital a week later.
Rey is photographed with his wife Lissette Rey and their children before his death.
“In the end, Mr. Rodriguez will still see his family. They will be able to visit him and see him. I will never see my husband again,” said Rey’s widow.
Even before the fatal shooting, Rodriguez was considered a dangerous threat by his neighbors, who rallied around Rey and his family after his death.
His clashes with his neighbors, from suburban Coral Gables to Kendall in Miami, date back to the early 1990s, including at least 140 in the seven years to 2015.
A desperate resident wrote to then-Governor Lawton Chiles, complaining that Rodriguez had declared war on his neighbors.
He was armed with pistols, frequently shouted in the street and once threatened a lawnmower with a machete, the neighbor said.
On each occasion, police claimed their actions, while deplorable, were not entirely criminal and no charges were ever filed.
His only known criminal record before the murder was assaulting a police officer in 1994, for which he only received probation.
It took seven prison officers to get him out of the courtroom and even when he was outside, obscene verses could be heard as Lissette continued.
Witnesses told police that Rodriguez followed Rey and Lissette in his car while they were walking their dog around 9:30 p.m.
The couple was talking to another neighbor at the time, and Rey decided to take the dog home before continuing the conversation with his neighbor and his wife.
On the way home, he crossed Rodriguez’s son’s lawn and his dog began defecating there. Rodriguez parked his car, turned on his lights and revved the engine before confronting Rey.
An argument ensued and Rey continued on his way. As he returned to speak with his wife and neighbor, he ran into Rodriguez again, who had taken off his shirt in preparation for the fight.
After further confrontation, he shot Rey three times as he raised his arms in the air and walked backwards.
When Lissette tried to comfort her mortally wounded husband, Rodriguez threatened her as well.
Lissette hugs family and supporters, including neighbors, in the courtroom
Rodriguez demanded that the charges be dismissed under Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law, but a judge ruled in 2021 that he was not acting in self-defense.
He claimed as part of that defense that Rey approached him with a knife, but neighbors said they saw him place the knife next to Rey and even tried to put it in his hand.
Rodriguez showed no remorse throughout the case and prosecutors played a recording of him stating: “If I had to do it all over again I would do it the same way.
His attorney, Bruce Lehr, continued to excuse him even after the sentencing.
“It all started with a community coming together and hating the defendant in this case. And the hatred from all sides led to an unfortunate death,” he said. NBC.
“Emotions are still running high and they came out during the sentencing… I hope everyone remembers the circumstances.”
Judge Milton Hirsch sentenced Rodriguez to life in prison and declared him ineligible for parole until at least 2049.
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