Posted: 3:44 pm MST February 4, 2010Updated: 9:21 pm MST February 4, 2010
EL PASO, Texas -- Antoine Baker was escorted inside the 409the District Court in shackels.Baker plead guilty in connection to the death of 19-year-old Valentin Ray Rodriguez in Jan. 29.On Thursday he took the stand in the Michael Romero trial. He testified that Romero was standing on the stairs when he hit Rodriguez.The jury also heard from more witnesses who were at the party where the assault happened.One witness told the jury she saw more than five men beat 19-year-old Ray Valentin Rodriguez.Michael Romero, 23, is accused of beating and killing Rodriguez. Prosecutors say Rodriguez was assaulted by a group of gang members at a party in northeast El Paso two years ago. His friends hauled him away after the fight and he died a few hours later.Roynisha Vandivier, who also testified on Wednesday, continued her testimony by telling the jury a crowd was around Rodriguez during the assault. She testified that she saw Romero "kicking and hurt Ray bad and push Ray down."Another witness, Estella Rodriguez, 20, testified she went to the party with Romero but he was only an acquaintance.She testified that Romero was with her and other friends in the back of the house when the fight started.She said she didn't see Romero hit anyone but she did see him pick up the victim's shoe, laugh and make a remark about it.Prosecutors reminded Estella Rodriguez about the statement she made to police. Rodriguez testified that she saw Romero "grabbing his right hand as if it hurt."Prosecutors say the assault escalated after an argument erupted over a girl between Rodriguez and Marcus White, another defendant who was already convicted and sentenced.Court documents show that two other men have already pleaded guilty to engaging in criminal activity-murder in Rodriguez's death. Babers and Baker were sentenced to five years in prison. The trial for the fifth suspect, Templeton, has not been scheduled.If convicted, Romero faces five to 99 years or life in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
Copyright 2010 by KFOXTV.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Which companies received money from the Troubled Asset Relief Program, or TARP? And which companies have begun to repay the government? Find out with our interactive graph. Full Story ››
A Sylvester Stallone action fest, a new Drew Barrymore romantic comedy, a romantic drama starring Julia Roberts and a buddy comedy starring Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg are among the new movies out in August.
View Images ››
Man Serving Sentence For Teen Slaying Testifies In Romero Trial
Posted: 3:44 pm MST February 4, 2010Updated: 9:21 pm MST February 4, 2010
Copyright 2010 by KFOXTV.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.