An Oak Forest man accused of strangling his wife and setting her body and their home on fire is scheduled to be arraigned next month, officials said during a brief hearing Monday, Jan. 28.
Martin Rodriguez, 48, has been formally charged in connection to the incident, where prosecutors say on the morning of Dec. 18, he waited until their three children were at school before strangling his wife Erica, slitting his own throat and setting the fire. Rodriguez was treated for burns and a cut to his throat.
The case will be assigned to a trial court judge in Bridgeview and Rodriguez will enter a plea on Feb. 14.
Monday's hearing was a brief affair and a stark contrast to last week's hearing, where counsel on both sides wrangled over DNA evidence in what was supposed to be a routine bond court appearance.
Rodriguez is still using a walker but a bandage across his throat had been removed. His public defender Dan Nolan appeared beside him as Assistant State's Attorney Amari Dawson read the new case number.
Rodriguez was preliminarily charged with first-degree murder and aggravated arson; the updated indictment was not immediately available Monday.
