Man To Stand Trial For Allegedly Stabbing Lake Elsinore Transient

MURRIETA, CA -- A probationer accused of stabbing a transient in Lake Elsinore while stealing from him must stand trial for assault resulting in great bodily injury, a judge ruled Friday.

Richard Rodriguez, 28, was arrested last month following a Riverside County sheriff's investigation into the attack in the 18000 block of Collier Avenue.

At the end of a preliminary hearing at the Southwest Justice Center, Riverside County Superior Court Judge Stephen Gallon ruled there was sufficient evidence to warrant a trial on the assault charge.

Gallon scheduled a post-preliminary hearing arraignment for Oct. 19 and left the defendant's bail set at $65,000. Rodriguez is being held at the Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta.

According to sheriff's Sgt. James Woodland, about 5 a.m. Sept. 18, the victim, whose identity was not disclosed, was sleeping in the area of Collier and Riverside Drive when the defendant allegedly grabbed some of the clothing the homeless man had in his possession.

When the victim awoke, Rodriguez stabbed him in an arm and fled, Woodland alleged.

He said deputies were called to the scene, and the victim identified the defendant as his alleged attacker.
The following afternoon, deputies spotted Rodriguez walking in the area of Collier and Nichols Road, where he was taken into custody without a struggle.

According to court records, Rodriguez has prior misdemeanor convictions for possession of a controlled substance and being under the influence of a controlled substance.

--City News Service/Shutterstock image