Judge Sentences Murder Defendant to 10+ Years in Prison

By D.C. Witness Staff - May 31, 2019
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects |

A murder defendant was sentenced to  ten and a half years in prison on May 31.

Policarpo Casarrubias-Rodriguez, 45, who pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed in February, stabbed his roommate Israel Gomez, 37. The incident occurred on Sept. 9, 2018, on the 3100 block of 16th Street, NW. According to court documents, an altercation occurred between Casarrubias-Rodriguez and Gomez prior to the stabbing. Casarrubias-Rodriguez was initially charged with first-degree murder while armed. 

DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman said the sentence was a midpoint between the sentencing guidelines. He said there was no scientific way to determine the punishment because it was not going to bring the victim back.

Several of Gomez’s family members and friends filled the courtroom.

According to the guidelines, Casarrubias-Rodriguez faced a sentencing scale from 7.5 to 14.5 years prison. The judge said his ruling was made on part that Casarrubias-Rodriguez stabbed the victim in the back, which was not self defense.

The defense requested the lower end of the guidelines, saying that if Casarrubias-Rodriguez hadn’t been so heavily intoxicated at the time, the stabbing would have not occurred. The defense also told the judge that Casarrubias-Rodriguez has not had any other convictions in the United States since his arrival 20 years ago.

Casarrubias-Rodriguez openly apologized for the crime. He said he was so drunk at the time that he had no idea what he was doing.

Judge Edelman said Casarrubias-Rodriguez would receive credit for all good time served. He will also be deported to Mexico following his prison term.