Long Beach, California – The trial of a former Long Beach Unified School District safety officer charged with the murder of an 18-year-old woman ended in a mistrial on Tuesday. The decision came after jurors could not reach a unanimous verdict regarding the shooting of Manuela “Mona” Rodriguez by Eddie Gonzalez near Millikan High School in Long Beach.
Following two days of deliberations, the jury informed Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Richard M. Goul that they were deadlocked, with a 7-5 split in favor of convicting Gonzalez of second-degree murder. Some jurors suggested voluntary manslaughter as an alternative, while others leaned towards an acquittal on the more serious charge of second-degree murder for the September 2021 incident.
Gonzalez, 54, remains out on bond awaiting further court proceedings, scheduled for a pretrial hearing on July 17 in Long Beach.
The shooting, which resulted in the death of Rodriguez days later after she was taken off life support, was captured on video and widely covered by local media. Prosecutors argued that Gonzalez acted irresponsibly by firing two shots at the vehicle, claiming he endangered others as he tried to handle a situation that should have been left to the police.
In contrast, Gonzalez’s defense attorney contended that his client acted in self-defense out of fear of being run over by the vehicle carrying Rodriguez. The defense emphasized the split-second decision-making process Gonzalez faced during the altercation, claiming that he shot to “stop the threat of deadly force.”
Throughout the trial, jurors were presented with various videos depicting the moments leading up to the shooting, including testimony from witnesses who were in the vicinity when the incident occurred. Rodriguez’s family had previously settled a lawsuit against the school district for $13 million, citing negligence in hiring and training Gonzalez.
Despite the mistrial, the case highlights the complexities of self-defense claims and the responsibilities of individuals entrusted with public safety. The ongoing legal saga underscores the challenges of navigating the justice system in cases involving tragic but contentious circumstances.