Oak Forest Man Strangled Wife and Set Her on Fire: Prosecutors
Martin Rodriguez, 48, waited until the couple's three children were in school before strangling wife Erica, 40, laying her body on their bed and setting it on fire, allege prosecutors.
A Cook County judge Sunday denied bail for Martin Rodriguez, 48, who is charged with murder in the strangulation of his wife Erica, 40, and aggravated arson for setting her body and their home on fire, prosecutors allege.
The morning of the Dec. 18 fire at 152nd and Central Avenue, Martin Rodriguez waited until their three children were at school before strangling Erica, then slitting his own throat and setting the fire, according to prosecutors. Beside her body, he placed a Bible and a family photo, Assistant State’s Attorney Kim Przekota said in court.
Rodriguez survived the fire and was treated for burns and a cut to his throat. He is charged with first-degree murder and aggravated arson. He poured an unknown accelerant over her body, according to Sun-Times Media.
In the days before her death, Erica Rodriguez had been sleeping on the couch at their home on the 15200 block of Central Avenue, and had reportedly given her husband five months to leave the home.
Rodriguez initially told police an unknown intruder had attacked them inside their home. Investigators did not find signs of forced entry, and found blood in front of a sink Rodriguez claimed he never used. When police confronted Rodriguez about the conflicting evidence, he stopped the interview and invoked his right to an attorney, the prosecutor said.
The couple's three children—17-year-old Sylvia, 15-year-old Andrew and 6-year-old Gloria—are staying with family in central Illinois.
A previous wife told police that Rodriguez had tried to choke her multiple times during their marriage, and that she had walked in on him choking their infant child, Przekota told the judge.
Martin Rodriguez remained in the hospital Sunday during the hearing. He's expected to appear in court Wednesday, reports the Tribune.
More coverage can be read in Sun-Times Media and Chicago Tribune reports.
Danielle Abendroth
6:45 pm on Sunday, December 30, 2012
This man is a monster. He's ruined so many lives because he couldn't deal with the problems in his marriage. Prayers for the kids.
alex
8:24 pm on Monday, January 7, 2013
all of you need to to get a life leave the man alone and stop being such hypocrites
Pancho Villa
9:51 pm on Sunday, December 30, 2012
Innocent until proven guilty aren't we all?
Tired of the B.S.
9:56 pm on Sunday, December 30, 2012
Why don't you ask George Zimmerman that same question?
Lauren Traut
7:49 am on Monday, December 31, 2012
Beav,
Your comment has been deleted as it violates several points in our Terms of Use. We do not allow profanity OR racism. You're welcome to repost, without use of either.
Thank you,
Lauren Traut
Associate Regional Editor
Dave
2:20 pm on Monday, December 31, 2012
I agree here, these are just allegations. Being impartial, I prefer waiting until AFTER the court decision. We are all afforded that right to a fair trial. Remember he is charged with the crimes, not convicted yet of them. The prosecution believes they have evidence to show this. I'm not defending him for the actions here, but I rather he be given a fair shot at proving his innocence instead of lynch-mobbing him. Remember the judicial system is put in place to help us. It is a horrendous crime, but remember if you were charged with a similar crime (either you didn't or just happened to have the circumstances put you at the wrong place at the wrong time) you would want a fair and impartial trial, also.
Marie galan
12:08 am on Monday, December 31, 2012
God bless the children and the family in there time of need. May Erica rest in peace and be the familys angel from heaven
All my love and prayers,
Marie galan
NANCY GRACE
7:06 am on Monday, December 31, 2012
This dirt bag will have it coming in prison...I can't wait, slam dunk on this case. Pancho your wrong here, he gone!
Dave
2:20 pm on Monday, December 31, 2012
Nancy, he may be guilty, but as I stated above we all have a right to a fair trial. You have the right if you are charged with something, let this man have his fair chance. True emotions run high in something like this. Even if he is guilty, the prosecution must prove to a judge or jury made up of peers that he is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Even with a defense attorney who knows the guy is guilty, that is the challenge that they must force the prosecution to prove that he is guilty, and that the evidence proving so is there.
Let's not lynch the poor guy. Even though he MAY HAVE committed the crime and ruined many other lives, remember these are allegations.
I've served on a jury once and I had to put my many feelings aside for the situation to decide what was fact and what the evidence at hand presented. As a jury member I took only the facts that were there that I knew of from personal experience, education, and what was presented during the trial. I felt bad not awarding the plaintiff the $22M-$32M for the lawsuit, but the preponderance of evidence showed that the defendant did everything according to procedures.
Pancho Villa
3:12 pm on Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Nancy, how am I wrong? are we not all innocent until proven guilty? If it is a "slam dunk" as you so eloquently put it, then should we as a society not allow this man a fair trial by his peers just because Nancy Grace from Oak Forest says it is a "slam dunk"? I would think you'd like to have a fair trial if ever you are facing a situation such as this man.
@ "tired of the B.S." I do not understand your comment. What am I supposed to ask George Zimmerman? Your comment makes no sense; at least to me it does not.
Bob Laird
3:12 pm on Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Dave, it sounds like you're on the left side of liberal, but that's OK. When yer on a jury you really have to be open to both sides. Gut check here says not even Perry Mason can get him off. If he's truley innocent maybe Matlock can help.
Tired of the B.S.
2:08 am on Thursday, January 3, 2013
OK Pancho, I'll type really slow so that maybe you will get it.
You said "Innocent until proven guilty aren't we all?"
I said that you should ask George Zimmerman because just about everybody, including the President, seemed to have an opinion on his guilt or innocence prior to his trial. George Zimmerman was tried by public opinion and still as not seen his day in court.
Hope that helps, but since you did not get it the first time, I doubt you will be able to get it this time.
ohihello paige
2:08 am on Thursday, January 3, 2013
no nancy your wrong and danielle he aint a monster
interested
11:37 am on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
I don't know this family, but I am so sad for the kids and the mother who lost her life. I wish that she had left the home, instead of insisting that the husband leave. I wish she had taken her kids and left him. God bless the kids. Surround them with love.
NANCY GRACE
3:12 pm on Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Dave you make me ill! "let this man have a fair trial"? Erica didn't have a fair chance to live a long life! "lets not lynch the poor guy"? Lets not waste our taxpayers money on a slam dunk murder case from the evil hands of a monster! And I stopped reading your post when you started losing track of what matters. This jerk will be found guilty, take it from me.
Dave
8:30 pm on Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Hey may be found guilty, he may not be. I hope you do realize that our judicial system is there to protect everyone, but to make sure the rules are followed in the prosecution of the accused.
Murder is a charge that must prove several things in order to prove it as murder. If he did kill her (not necessarily murder her), and he did burn the house I see the arson charge sticking very well. But when you kill someone there is several different things that need to be proven for murder. That is what the judge/jury is there to determine if the prosecution has what is necessary to prove that beyond the reasonable doubt.
I guess some people need to review government class in school.
Horrendous crimes leave people in a very excited state so I understand why people have some strong feelings towards me for being non-judgmental without the evidence or sitting in the trial. I feel bad for Erica, too, and my prayers go out to her kids and the family.
Jo
9:41 am on Monday, January 7, 2013
What about the hearts of the children that evil monster is their father so relax people this isn't your life so be concerned but stop thinking your god because then your no better than the person that commited the crime. This is painful for everyone concerned but i was ericas friend and all she would be worried about is her children so if martin is convicted of this horrible crime his children will have to live with that not us!
friend
3:12 pm on Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Please don't refer to this monster as poor guy ,it's hurtful and discusting!!
Dave
8:30 pm on Wednesday, January 2, 2013
the term "poor guy" was the fact everyone is jumping on him for being guilty without being involved in the investigation personally. I should term him with the word defendant since he is "charged" not convicted yet.
friend, read my statement below as to my feelings when it comes to judgement of people.
jared bean
3:12 pm on Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Gee Dave. You''re so smart and deep. Shut up already. As a person who was talking to Erica on the 17th. Let just say again you are an insightful dingus! So please shut up.
Dave
8:30 pm on Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Bob and Nancy, I am a Republican, but also believe in being fair when it comes to accusations. As I mentioned, the prosecution believes they have a case, there have been cases where the prosecution was wrong. Heck there have been a few times where an innocent person was sent to jail because of evidence and then DNA testing proved otherwise years after they been in jail.
Also where does being left wing vs right wing come into play here? We are talking about innocent guilty. You are innocent until proven guilty. I have my thoughts about how shady this situation is personally, but at the same time until its proven with a case, especially when family is involved. As I said, I am impartial in this case. It is a tragedy for the kids especially and for Erica who you just talked to Jared Bean.
I am not saying he is totally innocent and not guilty of the crime, but the trial hasn't even begun yet. I am not defending his actions at all nor would I if the trial proves beyond a reasonable doubt he did this.
Nancy Grace for you to think about. You are near the scene of a crime and happen to have the same appearance of the suspect. Even similar clothes. Would you want people to be prosecuting you before you even have a fair trial to prove your innocence and that in fact it was someone else who committed the crime.
Again Bob I'm very confused as to how you call me left wing of liberal. And how is political party involved in judgement of a crime?
Robert
8:30 pm on Wednesday, January 2, 2013
This is a male disease that persecutes women and children and is at epidemic proportions here in America, the free. "Domestic Violence" seems to be the code word for another woman and her children bite the dust, oh well.
Robert
8:30 pm on Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Law makers need to come down hard on those who persecute with violence and threats. Law makers appear more passionate and concerned about keeping marriage between a man and woman than they are at protecting the members of a marriage when statistic show that males kill their spouse and the children at alarming rates. This is no coincidence, and it goes on because they can. Judges who turn their back to the violence and threats and pain of the victims women and their children mostly, need to be held accountable. Stop in at Bridgeview Domestic violence court sometime, it will make you angry.
Barbara
9:16 am on Saturday, January 5, 2013
Robert, you have made so many good points. I too, am sick of the way our 'Justice
System' caters to criminals, is more concerned with the "rights" of the accused than
the horrendous damage done by them.
The 'swinging door' of the Justice System allow these crimes to go on, to escalate.
How I wish the wife had left, with her children, with the clothes on their backs. How I wish she had not stayed there that last night.
Why can't these men get along with women? How hard can it be to live a decent life?
Why do the Judges let it go on? Why do they cater to these men, knowing all the while, more women and even children will die?
Pancho Villa
9:16 am on Saturday, January 5, 2013
@ "Tired of the B.S" I shall type even slower so that the time you take out of what must be a "very exciting, eventful" life is not in vain; thanks for making my point. Your first comment made no sense, but your second one made my point exactly. Zimmernan's trial is set for June 10, 2013. People on here are jumping to conclusions about the guilt of a man indicted for murder prior to a fair trial by his peers. Your comments proves my point, but your use of sarcasm is that of an immature, uneducated, and angry-at-the-world for all of your shortcomings.
Andrew James
2:43 pm on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
@Pancho AND "tired of the b.s." - I think the real question for Zimmerman is if he truly believes in "...innocent until proven guilty." Trayvon Martin did not get a chance to be proven before Zimmerman took "the law" into his own hands.
@Erica's family and friends - I am so sorry for your loss.
@everyone else - even in the midst of such divisive beliefs we can all be respectful and remember that a mother of three great kids is dead and the father of those same kids is accussed of the crime... stop arguing and pray for the kids!
Joe Lynch
9:41 am on Monday, January 7, 2013
after he runs to Mexico will you believe he is guilty nobody knows were he is checked out of the hospital and not in police custody seem strange a innocent man hiding every person keep one eye open for this guy he is dangerous and with nothing to loose
Pancho Villa
12:56 pm on Monday, January 14, 2013
@ Andrew James; you have no idea what transpired that night between Zimmerman and Martin other than what you have heard on MSNBC or FOX "faux" newscasts. All we know is one guy is dead and one is awaiting trial, you have no idea as to the guilt/innocence of anyone yet.
@ Joe Lynch; do you personally know that Mr. Martinez is from Mexico? if so, how do you know? Just because someone has a Spanish surname does not automatically mean he/she is from Mexico. Ignorance must be bliss,right Lynch?