SDNY COURTHOUSE, July 20 – Victor Rodriguez and Andres Bello are charged with murder in connection with a drug deal in front of 808 East 175th Street in The Bronx on April 18, 2020.
Their cases are being considered for the death penalty.
On July 15 U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge P. Kevin Castel held a proceeding regarding Victor Rodriguez. Inner City Press covered it.
Rodriguez pled not guilty, but the main issue in the proceeding was whether Judge Castel will replace the Criminal Justice Act lawyer initially assigned to Rodriguez, Matthew Kluger of 888 Grand Concourse, with a "learned counsel" lawyer on the death penalty panel, Elizabeth Macedonio.
Rodriguez told Judge Castel he is getting along well with Kluger and would like to continue with him. Judge Castel indicated that Macedonio will hold a separate legal call with Rodriguez this Friday or on Monday.
After that a third lawyer, Peter Quijano, will report to Judge Castel under seal "defendant's wishes as to whether Mr. Kluger or Ms. Macedonio continue as his lead counsel."
On July 20, the same macabre dance regarding Andres Bello. Bello pleaded not guilty. Now lawyer Richard Jasper is to report to Judge Castel whether Donna Newman or Kenneath Montgomery will continue as Bello's counsel.
The entire case was pushed back to October 8, for the next conference.
The case is US v. Rodriguez, 20-cr-301 (Castel)
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