Juror in Murder Trial Accused of Stabbing Victim Days Later

A murder case in Washington state has taken a bizarre twist. A juror, involved in the conviction of a man for stabbing, now stands accused of carrying out a similar knife attack just days later, reportedly stating he was “sent by Jesus.”

Kevin Rodriguez, 35, was convicted on April 10 for second-degree murder and two counts of assault related to the 2019 death of 56-year-old Evodio Garcia Martinez. As reported by local media, prosecutors say Rodriguez used a butcher knife during the incident. Police found him inside an apartment in a pool of blood, with a knife in hand, and he had to be subdued by bystanders.

Now, Rodriguez’s defense team is pushing for a new trial, claiming that “Juror 14,” one of the jurors involved in his case, was arrested just three days after the stabbing incident in Everett. Reports indicate this juror is a 20-year-old man implicated in a home invasion where multiple victims were stabbed.

Details from the attack are quite unsettling. According to court documents obtained by local news, the suspect allegedly told the victim he was “Jesus’ right-hand man” during the commission of the crime.

Authorities have identified the suspect as Connor Wallleben. Described as a “friend of a friend,” he reportedly forced entry into a townhome by banging on the door. Once inside, he armed himself with a knife and began attacking the occupants.

Investigators noted that a 45-year-old mother and her 18-year-old daughter suffered stab wounds, but it was a 22-year-old woman who managed to halt the assault by putting Wallleben in a chokehold until law enforcement arrived. This brave act, as noted by a spokesperson for the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office, possibly saved the lives of the family members.

When deputies arrived, they found a knife and took Wallleben into custody on charges of robbery and two counts of first-degree assault, with bail set at $500,000.

The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed the stabbing that occurred on April 13 but has not confirmed whether Wallleben is indeed the same individual who served on Rodriguez’s jury. However, Rodriguez’s defense team insists that the alleged attacker was “Juror 14,” seeking a hearing to explore the juror’s mental state during the trial and question the integrity of the deliberations.

This case, embroiled in legal complexities, was already in the spotlight. Rodriguez previously faced a conviction for manslaughter in 2021, which was overturned on appeal, leading to his retrial earlier this month.

Rodriguez’s attorney, Karim Merchant, emphasized that the juror’s arrest isn’t the sole reason for requesting a new trial, highlighting broader issues at play.

Sentencing for Rodriguez is set for May 13. Efforts to reach the Snohomish County Prosecutor’s Office, the Sheriff’s Office, and Rodriguez’s attorney for further comments are ongoing.