Panorama City man accused of killing wife with machete in June pleads not guilty

Panorama City man accused of killing wife with machete in June pleads not guilty

by City News Service

A Panorama City man pleaded not guilty Thursday, July 18, to killing his wife with a machete in June, and then forcing his way into his neighbors’ apartment, where he allegedly attacked a couple and their teenage son.

David Ernesto Rodriguez, 36, allegedly chased his wife, Karla, out of their apartment on Roscoe Boulevard near Kester Avenue during an argument June 22 and killed the 32-year-old woman with a machete, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

He then allegedly forced his way into his neighbors’ apartment and attacked the husband and wife, along with their 17-year-old son when he tried to intervene, according to prosecutors. The father suffered serious eye, nose and arm injuries from the machete, while the mother’s head was cut and their son’s hand was seriously injured, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

Rodriguez is charged with one count each of murder, attempted murder and first-degree burglary with a person present, along with two counts each of assault with a deadly weapon and mayhem involving the alleged attacks.

The charges include allegations that he used a deadly weapon and caused great bodily injury.

Rodriguez was arrested by Los Angeles police on the morning of the homicide, and remained jailed as of Thursday.

Rodriguez could face up to 40 years to life in state prison if convicted as charged, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

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Originally published on https://www.dailynews.com