Agustin Espinoza Rodriguez, now 53, a name painfully entwined with a decades-old crime, remains tethered to his past actions as the San Mateo County District Attorney's office declares him unsuitable for parole. Convicted in the year following the 2001 slaying of a young couple, parents of a 6-month-old son, Rodriguez's hope for freedom has been derailed after a recent hearing, as reported by the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office.
Agustin Espinoza Rodriguez (53) in Jun '01 shot & killed his girlfriend's sister & brother in law, sentenced to 90 yrs to life after a jury trial. He was found unsuitable for parole following a hearing yesterday attended by one of our DDAs, denied another hearing for 3 yrs. pic.twitter.com/rroNAdcUGt
— San Mateo County District Attorney (@SanMateoCoDA) October 3, 2024
The tragic night in East Palo Alto, reported by SFGate, continues to resonate within the community. After a near-collision outside their apartment, a confrontation led to Luis and Marbella Ortiz being fatally shot by Rodriguez.
Rodriguez fled the scene but was later arrested during a traffic stop by Officer Mark Atkins. He was found with a firearm and confessed, though his motive remains unclear beyond the altercation.
Marbella Ortiz, who worked at Free at Last, was remembered for her kindness and dedication to helping others. A fund was set up to support the couple's infant son, Luis Francisco Ortiz.
