A Los Angeles man has been ordered to spend 21 years to life in state prison for a fatal knife attack on a 23-year-old passenger riding a downtown Metro train. On Friday, Judge Ray Jurado sentenced 33-year-old Randy Lamale Nash, who had pleaded no contest on June 24 to second-degree murder in the Sept. 7, 2023 killing of Jesse Rodriguez.
Prosecutors Say Silent Train Ride Turned Deadly On Camera
According to prosecutors, Nash trailed Rodriguez onto a Metro train at Union Station, took a seat two rows behind him, then pulled out a large hunting knife as the train neared Pershing Square and stabbed Rodriguez in the chest. The attack was captured by station cameras, and Rodriguez was rushed to a hospital, where he later died. The sentencing, Nash’s plea and prosecutors’ account of the attack were detailed by MyNewsLA.
From Manhunt To Murder Plea
Investigators said they identified Nash after releasing images to the media, then arrested him two days after the killing at a relative’s home in South Los Angeles. Early reporting on the Sept. 7, 2023 stabbing noted that the attacker ran off the train at Pershing Square while Transit Services Division officers provided aid on the platform. That initial coverage was reported by the Los Angeles Times.
Grief Boils Over In The Courtroom
At the sentencing hearing, Rodriguez’s parents faced Nash and told him, “You are a horrible creature and you took him away,” while other relatives said the punishment felt too light. Court testimony also showed Nash told investigators he believed people were after him, thought Rodriguez was following him, and said he “blacked out” during the stabbing. Those details and the family’s emotional statements were reported by MyNewsLA.
Metro Safety Firestorm And Legal Fallout
The killing fueled questions about safety at Pershing Square and across the Metro system, and Rodriguez’s family later filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against Metro and the city. Metro has denied any responsibility and filed cross-complaints seeking indemnification, setting off a broader legal battle. The family’s suit and the city’s response were reported by ABC7.
