According to the Coweta Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office…

On March 7, 2024, a Carroll County jury convicted brothers Hector Rodriguez, 56, and Jesus Rodriguez Vicerra, 47, both from Chicago, Illinois, of Attempted Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Aggravated Battery. Hector Rodriguez was also found guilty of Fleeing or Attempting to Elude a Police Officer and Driving Under the Influence. Superior Court Judge Dustin Hightower presided over the trial and sentenced Hector Rodriguez to
20 years in prison followed by 11 years on probation and sentenced Jesus Rodriguez Vicerra to 30 years in prison which was the maximum possible sentence because Georgia law required the Aggravated Assault and Aggravated Battery charges to merge with the Attempted Murder charge.
Assistant District Attorney Maggie Meetze and DA Investigator Becky Byrd prosecuted the case with the assistance of Victim Advocate Katelynn Culbreath. Sergeant Kyle Jones with the Carrollton Police Department (CPD) led the investigation. The evidence presented to the jury showed the following:
On March 11, 2023, the defendants violently assaulted the victim at a house they all rented together. The incident began when Jesus Rodriguez Vicerra mocked the victim’s Christian faith and forcibly removing the victim’s Saint Jude pendant from the victim’s neck. After an initial fist fight on the porch, the defendants followed the victim and a witness into the driveway as the victim attempted to the leave the residence. The victim testified that he observed Hector Rodriguez give Jesus Rodriguez Vicerra a pocket knife and yell “kill him.” The victim attempted to run, but Jesus Rodriguez Vicerra caught him and stabbed him high on the right arm, lacerating the victim’s artery. The victim was able to run to a church parking lot before collapsing.
These events were observed by a University of West Georgia (UWGA) student driving by who called 911. CPD officers responded immediately and saved the victim’s life by placing a tourniquet on his arm to stop the bleeding enough for him to be life-flighted to Grady for emergency surgery. The defendants attempted to flee the scene in their truck but officers apprehended them after a short chase. The driver, Hector Rodriguez, was found to be under the influence of alcohol. Jesus Rodriguez Vicerra was in possession of two knives, one of which tested positive for the victim’s DNA. UWGA Police Department officers also responded to the scene and assisted with interpreting the statements of the parties.
“This was essentially a hate crime that would have resulted in a murder if not for the quick action of Carrollton Police Department,” District Attorney, Herb Cranford said. “I am thankful that this victim will be able to practice his faith freely while these defendants spend decades in Georgia’s prison system.”